"He has loved her all the time; and I am a purblind ass not to have
seen it!" he said to himself, with cynical self-contempt, as he climbed
up to his rooms.
They were modest but comfortable rooms in Picadilly--and he struck a
match before he opened the door; but it was not necessary for him to
have got a light, for there was one in the room already, and by it he
saw a long-limbed figure which had been sitting in his easy-chair, but
which rose and exclaimed: "Howard!"
Howard held his breath for a moment, then said, with exaggerated calm.
"I'm glad you found the cigars and the whiskey, Stafford. Have you been
waiting long: sorry to keep you."
Howard laughed as he wrung his friend's hand.
"I thought I should surprise you, old man; but I flattered myself,"
said Stafford.
"Nothing surprises me; but I'll admit to being rather pleased at seeing
you," drawled Howard, pushing him gently buck in the chair. "Have
you--er--walked from Australia, or flown?"
Stafford stared.
"Oh, I see! You mean I came so quickly on my letter? I started directly
after I posted it, but lost the mail at Southampton. I--I got a
restless fit, and was obliged to come."
"Got it now?" drawled Howard. "Or perhaps the journey has cooled you
down. Have you eaten? I can get something--"
"Yes, yes," said Stafford, rather impatiently. "Got dinner at the
hotel. I came on here at once: heard you'd gone to a dance, and thought
I'd wait. I want you to do something for me, Howard--I'll tell you all
my news some other time--not that there's much to tell: I'm well and
nourishing, as you see. I want you to go down to Bryndermere. I dare
not go myself--not yet. I want you to get all the information you can
about--about a lady: Miss Heron of Herondale--"
"How very strange!" said Howard innocently. "Do you know, I have just
had the pleasure of meeting a Miss Heron of Herondale--"
Stafford sprang to his feet.
"Where?" he demanded hotly.
"At Lady Clansford's ball, which I have just left. May I ask why you
are so interested in Miss Heron as to send me on such a mission?"
"I love her," said Stafford briefly. "I can not live without her--I've
tried, and I've failed. I've loved her since--oh, I can't tell you! I
want to know what she is doing. I want to know if she has forgotten me;
if there is any hope for me!"