"Nay, but pray sit down--I can't while you stand--and our conversation may last some time--pray do."
"I can talk as well, sir, one way as t'other," replied she, while at the same time, with a sort of fidgeted impatience, she did sit down and fold her hands in her lap.
"We have all, Mrs. Gwynn, a very high opinion of you; I mean Lady Alice and the friends of her family, among whom I reckon myself."
"It's only of late as I came to my present misses, you're aware, sir, 'aving been, from, I may say, my childhood in the Marlowe family."
"I know--the Marlowe family--it's all one, in fact; but I may say, Mrs. Gwynn, that short, comparatively, as has been your time with Lady Alice, you are spoken of with more respect and liking by that branch of the family than by Sir Jekyl."
"I've done nothing to disoblege Sir Jekyl, as Lady Alice knows. Will you be so kind, sir, as to say what you want of me, having business to attend to up-stairs?"
"Having ascertained all about that _secret door_ that opens into the green chamber at Marlowe, we would be obliged to you to let us know at what time, to your knowledge, it was first used."
His large full eyes, from under his projecting brows, stared full upon her shrinking gaze as he asked this question in tones deep and firm, but otherwise as civil as he could employ.
It was vain for Mrs. Gwynn to attempt to conceal her extreme agitation. Her countenance showed it--she tried to speak, and failed; and cleared her throat, and broke down again.
"Perhaps you'd like some water," said Varbarriere, rising and approaching the bell.
"No," said Donica Gwynn, rising suddenly and getting before him. "Let be."
He saw that she wished to escape observation.
"As you please, Mrs. Gwynn--sit down again--I shan't without your leave--and recover a little."
"There's nothing wrong with me, sir," replied Donica, now in possession of her voice, very angrily; "there's nothing to cause it."
"Well, Mrs. Gwynn, it's quite excusable; I know all about it."
"What _are_ you, a builder or a hartist?"
"Nothing of the kind; I'm a gentleman without a profession, Mrs. Gwynn, and one who will not permit you to be compromised; one who will protect you from the slightest suspicion of anything unpleasant."