He did not go to the principal
gate, but to a little side gate, near the offices of the gothic villa--a
gate to which butchers and bakers came with their wares in the morning.
"I want to see Miss Paget," he said to the maid who answered his summons;
"and I want to see her without disturbing Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon. Do you
know where to find her?"
"Yes, sir; she's in her own room. I took her a cup of tea there ten
minutes ago. She's got a headache with fretting about our poor young
lady, and she won't go down to dinner with master and missus."
"Will you ask her to step out here and speak to me for a few minutes?"
"Won't you come indoors and see her, sir?"
"No; I'd rather see her in the garden."
It was still daylight here, but it was growing shadowy among the avenues
in Kensington Gardens. The gate near which Valentine waited was not to be
seen from the windows of dining or drawing-room.
The housemaid ran off to summon Miss Paget; and in less than five minutes
Diana appeared, dressed in her hat and garden jacket.
"Will you come out into the road with me, dear?" asked Valentine. "I have
something serious to say to you."
"And I am so anxious to hear what the Doctor has said," answered Diana,
as she took Valentine's arm.
"The road before the Lawn was very quiet at this hour of the evening, and
here they were safely beyond Mr. Sheldon's ken.
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