CHAPTER 26As he opened the gate he glanced across the churchyard to Mrs. Bruce’s cottage. She was just coming out, and she hesitated, recognizing him across the Square. He really, he thought, had not got much time to stop and talk to her, but he couldn’t very well just rush along with no explanation of any kind. He crossed the street again and rounded the churchyard wall.
She watched him come, first with a smile, as if he were some scurtling figure of fun, and, as he came nearer, with an expression of dismay and even alarm displacing the amusement on her lovely face.
“Has . . . has something happened?” she asked quickly.
“Oh, yes,” Mr. Pinkerton said ruefully. “It’s me. I’ve been most frightfully indiscreet again. I’m afraid I’ve got Lady Atwater into no end of trouble.”
“Come in—have
