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Rh she did not show it. 'Not at all. Pray come in. Is it something you want to ask me about?'

'There's lots of things I want to ask you about; if it isn't really bothering you too much altogether, Lady Bligh.'

'Of course it is not, child; I should say so if it were,' Lady Bligh answered, with some asperity. But her manner was not altogether discouraging.

'Thank you. Then I think I will sit down on that footstool by the fender—it is so cold. May I? Thanks. There, that won't keep the fire from you at all. Now, first of all, may I do all the questioning, Lady Bligh, please?'

Lady Bligh stared.

'What I mean is, may I ask you questions without you asking me any? You needn't answer if you don't like, you know. You may even get in a—in a rage with me, and order me out of the room, if you like. But please let me do the questioning.'

'I am not likely to get in a rage with you,' said Lady Bligh, dryly, 'though I have no idea what is coming; so you had better begin, perhaps.'

'Very well; then what I want to know is