They dined. The conventionalities were appeased; the silent,
watchful servants who waited on them were given no food for
comment. The fact that Loder left immediately after dinner,
the fact that he paused on the door-step after the hall door
had closed behind him, and drew a long, deep breath of relief,
held only an individual significance and therefore did not
count.
On reaching Chilcote's house he passed at once to the
study and dismissed Greening for the night. But scarcely
had he taken advantage of his solitude by settling into an
arm-chair and lighting a cigar, than Renwick, displaying an
unusual amount of haste and importance, entered the room
carrying a letter.
Seeing Loder, he came forward at once. "Mr. Fraide's man
brought this, sir," he explained. "He was most particular to
give it into my hands--making sure 'twould reach you. He's
waiting for an answer, sir."
Loder rose and took the letter, a quick thrill of speculation
and interest springing across his mind. During his time of
banishment he had followed the political situation with
feverish attention, insupportably chafed by the desire to
share in it, apprehensively chilled at the thought of
Chilcote's possible behavior.
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