"
"Am I acquainted with the person your ladyship is thinking of?" Fanny
inquired. "In that case, a friend will know what we want of her by
to-morrow morning. I have written to Mrs. Vimpany."
"The very person I had in my mind, Fanny! When may we expect to hear
from her?"
"If Mrs. Vimpany can put what she has to say to us into few words,"
Fanny replied, "we shall hear from her to-morrow by telegraph."
As she answered her mistress in those cheering words, they were
startled by a heavy knock at the door of the room. Under similar
circumstances, Lord Harry's delicate hand would have been just loud
enough to be heard, and no more. Iris called out suspiciously: "Who's
there?"
The doctor's gross voice answered: "Can I say a word, if you please, to
Fanny Mere?"
The maid opened the door. Mr. Vimpany's heavy hand laid bold of her
arm, pulled her over the threshold, and closed the door behind her.
After a brief absence, Fanny returned with news of my lord.
A commissioner had arrived with a message for the doctor; and Fanny was
charged to repeat it or not, just as she thought right under the
circumstances. Lord Harry was in Paris. He had been invited to go to
the theatre with some friends, and to return with them to supper.
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