"No, no! No one could imagine the depths of my love for her! I think not even Jack. . . . I felt his hand leave my shoulder. . . . The truth had dawned on him. I heard the way the breath hissed between his teeth as he realised. . . . Somehow I got to my feet, clutching at the table, facing him. I don't excuse myself-I know my conduct was beyond words dastardly. I looked across at him-just said his name, as though I could scarce believe my ears. So all those watching thought. But Jack knew better. He knew I was imploring him to save me. He understood all that I was trying to convey to him. For an instant he stared at me. I thought-I thought-God forgive me, I prayed that he might take the blame on himself. Then he smiled. Coward though I was, when I saw that hurt, wistful little smile on his lips, I nearly blurted out the whole truth. Not quite. . . . I suppose I was too mean-spirited for that.
"Jack bowed to the room and again to Dare. He said: 'I owe you an apology, sir.'
"Dare sprang forward, catching him by the shoulder-crying out that it could not be true! When Jack laughed-he fell away from him as from-the plague. And all of them! My God, to see them drawing away-not looking at Jack! And Jack's face-growing paler and harder . . . every moment. . . . All his friends. . . turning their backs to him. Davenant-even Jim Davenant walked away to the fireplace with Evans.
"I could not look at Jack. I dared not. I could not go to him-stand by him! I had not the right. I had to leave him there-in the middle of the room-alone. The awful hurt in his eyes made me writhe. The room was whirling round-I felt sick-I know I fell back into my chair, hiding my face. I hardly cared whether they suspected me or not. But they did not. They knew how great was the love between us, and they were not surprised that I broke down.
"I heard Andover's soft voice. . . he was telling some tale to Dare. Oh, they were well-bred those men! They skimmed over the unpleasant little episode-ignored Jack!
"Jack spoke again. I could guess how bravely he was keeping a proud front. I know word for word what he said: 'Mr. Dare, your Grace, Gentlemen- my apologies for being the cause of so unpleasant an incident. Pray give me leave.'
"They paid no heed. I heard him walk to the door-heard him open it. I could not look at him. He-he paused. . . and said just one word: 'Dick!' quite softly. Heaven knows how I got to him! I know I overturned my chair. That drew Dare's attention. He said: 'You are not going, Dick?' I shouted 'Yes,' at him, and then Jack took my arm, leading me out.
"And-and all he said was: 'Poor old Dick!'. . . He-he had no word of blame for me. He would not allow me to go back and tell the truth-as I would have done. Ay, Warburton, when Jack called me to him, I could have cried it aloud-but-he would not have it. . . . He said: 'For Lavinia's sake.' . . . "
Warburton blew his nose violently. His fingers were trembling.
"You know what happened afterwards. You know how my father turned Jack out penniless-you know how his friends shunned him-you know my poor mother's grief. And you know that he went away-that we could not find him when-my mother died. . . . His last words to me-were: 'Make Lavinia-happy-and try to forget-all this.' Forget it! Heavens! Try as I might, I could hear nothing further of him until two months ago, when he-waylaid me. Then I was half-dazed at the suddenness of it. He-he grasped my hand-and-laughed! It was so dark, I could scarce see him. I only had time to demand his address, and then-he was off-galloping away over the heath. I think-even then-he bore no malice."
"He does not now!" said Warburton sharply. "But, Master Dick, if all this is true, why do you not even now clear him? Surely-"
Richard turned his head slowly.
"Now I may not drag my wife's name through the mud. By clearing him-I ruin her."
Warburton could find nothing to say. Only after some time did he clear his throat and say that he was honoured by Carstares' confidence.
"You-ah-you dwell on the part played by his Grace on that evening. Surely your-shall we say-overwrought imagination magnified that?"
Richard was disinterested.
"I suppose so. Mayhap 'twas his extraordinary personality dominating me. He cannot have pulled the wires as I thought he did. Not even Belmanoir could make me act as I did. But-but at the time I felt that he was pushing-pushing-compelling me to accuse Jack. Oh, doubtless I was mad!"
Warburton eyed the dejected figure compassionately. Then he seemed to harden himself and to regain some of his lost primness of manner.
"You-ah-you are determined not to accept the revenues, sir?"
"I have not yet sunk so low, Mr. Warburton."
"His lordship leaves Wyncham and all appertaining to it at your disposal. He would be grieved at your refusal."
"I will not touch it."
The lawyer nodded.
"I confess, Mr. Carstares, I am relieved to hear you say that. It will not be necessary again to communicate with his lordship. I think he does not desire any intercourse with-his family. He finds it too painful. But he wished to be remembered to you, sir. Also to her ladyship."
"Thank you. . . . You could-ascertain nothing of his situation? He did not confide in you?"
"He was very reticent, sir. I think he is not unhappy."
"And not-embittered?"
"Certainly not that, sir."
Mr. Warburton rose, plainly anxious to be gone.
Reluctantly Richard followed his example.
"You-have nothing further to tell me of him?"
"I regret, sir-nothing."
Richard went slowly to the door, and opened it.
"You must allow me to thank you, sir, for your goodness in undertaking what I know must have been a painful task. I am very grateful."
Mr. Warburton bowed low.
"I beg you will not mention it, sir. Nothing I might do for the Carstares could be aught but a pleasure."
Again he bowed, and the next instant was gone.
CHAPTER IV INTRODUCING THE LADY LAVINIA CARSTARES
RICHARD went slowly back to his chair. After a moment he sat down, staring blankly out of the window, his hands loosely clasped on the desk before him. So he remained for a long while, immobile. At last, with the faintest of sighs, he moved and picked up a quill. He dipped it in the ink, and, with his other hand, drew towards him a sheaf of papers. Presently he was writing steadily.
For perhaps twenty minutes the quill travelled to and fro across the pages; then it paused, and Richard looked up towards the door.
It opened to admit Lady Lavinia. She came rustling into the room with her embroidery in her hand. She dropped her husband a mock curtsey and went over to a high-backed armchair, stretching out a dimpled hand to draw it forward. But even as her fingers touched it she had changed her mind, and fluttered over to the couch, there to seat herself with much swirling of brocades and arrangement of skirts. She then proceeded to occupy herself with her work, plying her needle hurriedly and jerkily.
Richard watched her in silence, following each turn of the pretty hand and each movement of her fair head.
The silence was evidently not to my lady's taste, for she presently began to beat an impatient tattoo on the floor with one slender foot. Still he said nothing, and she raised her pure china-blue eyes to his face.
"Why so glum, Dick? Why do you not talk to me?" Her voice was rather high-pitched and childish, and she had a curious way of ending each sentence with an upward lilt and a long drawn-out accent, very fascinating to listen to.
Richard smiled with an obvious effort.
"Am I, my dear? I crave your pardon. Warburton has just been."
Her face clouded over instantly, and the full-lipped mouth drooped petulantly.
"He has seen him."
"Oh?" She made the word twice its length, and filled it with disinterest.
"Yes. Jack will have none of it. He asks me to be his steward and to use Wyncham as I will. He is very generous."
"Yes, oh yes. And you will, Richard?"
He ignored the question.
"He-Warburton-says he is not much changed."