The lady had forbidden her mistress to speak to any
doctor or clergyman about her, but she had not forbidden her. And indeed
it seemed almost worse to see a lady in such trouble and sickness than
it did those who were used to it, as she, and the like of her had been,
and would be still, but for Mr Prothero.
'What is her name?' asked Rowland eagerly.
'Mrs Mills, sir.'
Rowland's sudden hope fell.
'And she has a little girl, sir, who isn't well either, and who does
nothing but cry and moan.'
'What is her name?'
'Her mamma calls her Minette, or some such name, sir.'
'I will come with you now,' said Rowland, in great agitation. 'Make
haste; I suppose she has been with you some time.'
'More than a month, sir, and she is always expecting some one to
come--and no one comes.'
Rowland strode on, fast--faster than he had once before walked with
Gladys--heedless of everything around him. In about a quarter of an hour
he and the girl reached the lodging house.
'You will tell missus how it was, please, sir. I don't think she can be
angry, sir.'
'I am sure she will not be angry; tell her that I want to see her.
Mrs Saunders, the landlady, came at once.
Rowland inquired into the particulars of Netta's arrival at her house,
her illness, etc.
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