"
Laurie looked at her without moving.
"I shall be very much obliged," he said. "You will remember that I am
not yet in the least convinced? I only want to know."
"That is exactly the right attitude. That is all we have any right to
ask. We do not ask for blind faith, Mr. Baxter--only for believing
after having seen."
Laurie nodded slowly.
"That seems to me reasonable," he said.
There was silence for a moment. Then she determined on a bold stroke.
"There is someone in particular--Mr. Baxter--forgive me for
asking--someone who has passed over--?"
She sank her voice to what she had been informed was a sympathetic
tone, and was scarcely prepared for the sudden tightening of that
face.
"That is my affair, Mrs. Stapleton."
Ah well, she had been premature. She would fetch Lady Laura, she said;
she thought she might venture for such a purpose. No, she would not be
away three minutes. Then she rustled out.
Laurie went to the fire to wait, and stood there, mechanically warming
his hands and staring down at that sleeping core of red coal.
He had taken his courage in both hands in coming at all. In spite of
his brave words to Maggie, he had been conscious of a curious
repulsion with regard to the whole matter--a repulsion not only of
contempt towards the elaborate affectations of the woman he had
determined to consult.
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