Bill that is coming before the House in a few weeks. They ought to have
said some interesting things about that."

Virginia moved calmly across the room, and before the young man had
perceived her intention she had rung the bell.

"I think," she said, "that you are a very impertinent person. Please go
away at once."

He shrugged his shoulders as he turned towards the door. His expression
was still entirely good-humoured.

"Don't be angry with me, Miss Longworth," he said, as he paused for a
moment with his hand upon the knob of the door; "it's all in my day's
work, you know. One has to try and find out these things, or one
wouldn't be worth one's place. We had word down at the office that you
had just come from the country, and that something might be done
with you."

"And I think it was most unfair and ungentlemanly," Virginia began.

"It seems so, I dare say," he admitted, "from your point of view; but
you must remember, Miss Longworth, that it is all part of a game which
is played here all the time. Each side knows the other's moves; there is
no deceit about it. Men like your uncle, who want to cover up their
actions, take as much pains to hoodwink us, and use any means that occur
to them to keep us in the dark when they want to. They just make use of
us, and we have to try and make use of them. Good night, Miss
Longworth!"