I'll call you if I need you." After Leduc had departed a silence fell between them, and endured some moments.

His lordship was leaning forward, elbows on knees, his face in shadow.

At length he sat back, and looked at his companion across the little intervening space.
"I have hesitated to speak to you before, Mr.Caryll, upon the matter that you know of, lest your recovery should not be so far advanced that you might bear the strain and fatigue of conversing upon serious topics.
I trust that that cause is now so far removed that I may put aside my scruples." "Assuredly--I am glad to say--thanks to the great care you have had of me here at Stretton House." "There is no debt between us on that score," answered his lordship shortly, brusquely almost.

"Well, then--" He checked, and looked about him.

"We might be approached without hearing any one," he said.
Mr.Caryll smiled, and shook his head.