She got into the cab, and Cashel followed, making some remark which
she did not quite catch about its being too dark for any one to
recognize him. They spoke little during the drive, which was soon
over. Bashville was standing at the open door as they came to the
house. When Cashel got out the footman looked at him with interest
and some surprise, But when Lydia alighted he was so startled that
he stood open-mouthed, although he was trained to simulate
insensibility to everything except his own business, and to do that
as automatically as possible. Cashel bade Lydia good-bye, and shook
hands with her. As she went into the house, she asked Bashville
whether Miss Goff was within. To her surprise, he paid no attention
to her, but stared after the retreating cab. She repeated the
question.
"Madam," he said, recovering himself with a start, "she has asked
for you four times."
Lydia, relieved of a disagreeable suspicion that her usually
faultless footman must be drunk, thanked him and went up-stairs.