Do not admit him
beyond the hall, but come and report to me here. Sir Roderick will
receive him in the hall and take the message."
"Yes, miss," said the obedient Furnilove.
"That is all." Constantia pondered.--"Except that you may tell the
housemaid not to worry about the room for Sir Roderick. He will not
sleep here, after all. And you may send Henriette up with word to
Mamma that all is right and Sir Roderick stays only to receive Mr.
Farrell's message. He will probably be going at once on receipt of
it, and then you can lock up. The others can go to bed when they
choose."
"Very good, miss," said Furnilove, and withdrew.
"And now," said Constantia, "since he is late, keep me amused.
Tell me all about the island."
So I told her this and that of my voyaging; and the time drew on
until the clock on the mantelpiece chimed a half-hour. It was
one-thirty.
"The dickens!" said I, pulling out my own watch and consulting it.
"Farrell is a long time at Printing House Square. In my belief, Con,
he won't be returning."
Just at that moment the front door bell pealed loudly.
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