Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/98

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74
THE PRIME MINISTER

Sir Malcolm.
The young governess who came in as I went out- have you any personal knowledge of her, sir?

Sir Robert.
Personal? No! I have never seen her before to-day. Why do you ask?

Sir Malcolm.
Because—You may remember that I thought I had seen her before. Now I'm sure of it.

Sir Robert.
It must have been in some foreign country, then, for the young lady has just told me she has never before been in England.

Sir Malcolm.
May I say, sir, that except, perhaps, on holiday she has never been out of it?

Sir Robert.
[A little vexed.] Mr. Commissioner, you bewilder me. A young Swiss girl, living in Zurich, is recommended to me as governess to my little daughter. I send for her. She leaves home to come to me. On the way she telegraphs to me. [Taking up telegram from desk.] Here is her telegram: "Dover 2.20 p.m. Arrive Charing Cross 4 o'clock.—Freda Michel." In due course she arrives, and now you tell me——

Sir Malcolm.
I venture to tell you, sir, that the person who arrives at your house is not Freda Michel, the Swiss governess from Zurich——