She heard the servant go to
open, and, a moment after, Sarah announced, "Mr. Warburton."
It was the first time that Warburton had found a stranger in the
room, and Bertha had no difficulty in reading the unwonted look with
which he advanced to shake hands.
"No bad news, I hope?" she asked gravely, after presenting him to
the other visitor.
"Bad news?--"
"I thought you looked rather troubled--"
Her carefully composed features resisted Will's scrutiny.
"Do I? I didn't know it--but, yes," he added, abruptly, "you are
right. Something has vexed me--a trifle."
"Look at these drawings of Miss Medwin's. They will make you forget
all vexatious trifles."
Miss Medwin was, like Bertha, a book illustrator, and had brought
work to show her friend. Warburton glanced at the drawings with a
decent show of interest. Presently he inquired after Mrs. Cross, and
learnt that she was out of town for a week or so; at once his
countenance brightened, and so shamelessly that Bertha had to look
aside, lest her disposition to laugh should be observed.
Conversation of a rather artificial kind went on for half an hour,
then Miss Medwin jumped up and said she must go. Bertha protested,
but her friend alleged the necessity of making another call, and
took leave.
Warburton stood with a hand upon his chair. Bertha, turning back
from the door, passed by him, and resumed her seat.
"A very clever girl," she said, with a glance at the window.
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