I had not, at first, the courage to ring at the gate; and when I did ring, my errand seemed to me to be expressed in the very sound of the bell. The little parlour-maid came out, with the key in her hand; and looking earnestly at me as she unlocked the gate, said:
‘I beg your pardon, sir. Are you ill?’
‘I have been much agitated, and am fatigued.’
‘Is anything the matter, sir?
— -Mr. James? — ’ ‘Hush!’ said I. ‘Yes, something has happened, that I have to break to Mrs. Steerforth. She is at home?’
The girl anxiously replied that her mistress was very seldom out now, even in a carriage; that she kept her