“I presume you are an orphan, but have you no other relatives who could help you?” he asked.
“I don’t think they would be willing to hide me from my uncle.”
“Who is your uncle?”
“I have no intention of telling you that and, if you are a gentleman, you would not press me.”
“If I had any common sense, I would force you to tell me the truth. Then I would immediately inform your uncle so he could come and take you away.”
“But instead will you – try to understand how – desperate I am?”
The question was undoubtedly an appeal and after a moment Lord Heywood said abruptly,
“I will try to understand, but at the same time you cannot stay here.”
“But – where can I – go?”
“I shall have to consider the answer to that question,” he said. “In the meantime I suggest you get dressed.”
He rose to
