When I saw him I understood.
* * * * *
Lorrimer, after dismissing his secretary, was the first to speak.
"You come to me from Ideala?" he said. "Is there anything wrong? Is she
ill?"
And I fancied he turned a trifle paler as the fear flashed through his
mind.
I reassured him. "Physically she is better," I said.
"But mentally?" he interposed. "You give her no peace."
I was silent.
"I know you are no friend of mine," he added.
"On the contrary," I answered. "I hope I am the best friend you have
just now."
"I know what that means," he said. "You have tried to dissuade Ideala,
and having failed, you have come here to use your influence with me"
"No," I answered. "I have not come to discuss the subject. I have
brought you a letter from Ideala at her special request, and I am ready
to take her any reply which you may think fit to send."
I gave him the letter, and rose to go, but he detained me.
"Stay till I have read it, if you can spare me the time," he said. "It
is just possible that there is something in it which we _ought_ to
discuss.
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