Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/15

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went toward his messenger, who, as she saw Rose apparently leaving the garden, pressingly called out: "Would you, Miss Armiger, very kindly go over for Effie? She wasn't even yet ready," she explained as she came back up the slope with her friend, "and I was afraid to wait after promising Paul to meet him."

"He's not here, you see," said Tony; "it's he who, most ungallantly, makes you wait. Never mind; you'll wait with me." He looked at Rose as they overtook her. "Will you go and bring the child, as our friend here asks, or is such an act as that also, and still more, inconsistent with your mysterious principles?"

"You must kindly excuse me," Rose said directly to Jean. "I've a letter to write in the house. Now or never—I must catch the post."

"Don't let us keep you, then," Tony returned,