"Can I look over the place?" she asked, when he had finished.
"By all means," Mr. Dowling declared, "by all means. I was on
the point of suggesting it. It will be by far the most
satisfactory proceeding. You will not be disappointed, my dear
madam, I can assure you."
"I should like to do so, if I may, without delay," she said.
"There is no opportunity like the present," Mr. Dowling replied.
"If you will permit me," he added, rising, "it will give me the
greatest pleasure to escort you personally. My engagements for
the rest of the day happen to be unimportant. Tavernake, let me
have the keys of the rooms that are locked up. The caretaker, of
course, is there in possession."
The beautiful visitor rose to her feet, and even that slight
movement was accomplished with a grace unlike anything which
Tavernake had ever seen before.
"I could not think of troubling you so far, Mr. Dowling," she
protested. "It is not in the least necessary for you to come
yourself. Your manager can, perhaps, spare me a few minutes. He
seems to be so thoroughly posted in all the details," she added,
apologetically, as she noticed the cloud on Mr. Dowling's brow.
"Just as you like, of course," he declared. "Mr. Tavernake can
go, by all means. Now I come to think of it, it certainly would
be inconvenient for me to be away from the office for more than a
few minutes. Mr. Tavernake has all the details at his fingers'
ends, and I only hope, Mrs.
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