He
wondered how Sir Frank, who was a mild, good-tempered man
himself, could dare to make such a fiery female Lady Random.
Perhaps the young man thought himself that she was going a trifle
too far, for he touched her nervously on the arm. At once the
anger of Donna Inez died down, and she submitted to be led to a
chair, whispering as she went, "It was for your sake, my angel,
that I was angry," she said, and then relapsed into silence,
watching all future proceedings with flashing eyes but compressed
mouth.
"Wal," muttered Hervey with his invariable drawl, "now that the
lady has eased her mind, I should like to know why this
aristocrat says I placed that manuscript in his room."
"You shall know, and at once," said Random promptly. "Did you
not call to see me a day or so ago?"
"I did, sir. I wished to tell you what I had discovered, so that
you might pay me to shut my mouth if you felt so inclined. I
asked where your room was, sir, and walked right in, since your
flunky was not at the door."
"Quite so. You were in my room for a few minutes--"
"Say five," interpolated the American imperturbably.
"And then came down. You met my servant, who told you that I
would not be back for five or six hours.
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