"
Very restless was Lord Hartledon until the moment came. He knew the best
time to speak to Maude would be immediately after dinner, whilst the
countess-dowager took her usual nap. There was no hesitation now; and he
speedily followed them upstairs, leaving his friend at the dinner-table.
He went up, feeling a desperate man. To those of his temperament having
to make a disagreeable communication such as this is almost as cruel as
parting with life.
No one was in the drawing-room but Lady Kirton--stretched upon a sofa and
apparently fast asleep. Val crossed the carpet with softened tread to the
adjoining rooms: small, comfortable rooms, used by the dowager in
preference to the more stately rooms below. Maude had drawn aside the
curtain and was peering out into the frosty night.
"Why, how soon you are up!" she cried, turning at his entrance.
"I came on purpose, Maude. I want to speak to you."
"Are you well?" she asked, coming forward to the fire, and taking her
seat on a sofa. In truth, he did not look very well just then. "What is
it?"
"Maude," he answered, his fair face flushing a dark red as he plunged
into it blindfold: "I am a rogue and a fool!"
Lady Maude laughed. "Elster's folly!"
"Yes. You know all this time that we--that I--" (Val thought he should
never flounder through this first moment, and did not remain an instant
in one place as he talked)--"have been going on so foolishly, I
was--almost as good as a married man.
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