"What bad news did that parson bring you?--a
friend, I presume, of Dr. Ashton's."
They had both risen. Lord Hartledon glanced at Mr. Carr, the perspiration
breaking out on his brow. "It--it was not a parson," he said, in his
innate adherence to truth.
"I ask _you_, Lord Hartledon," she resumed, having noted the silent
appeal to Mr. Carr. "It requires no third person to step between man and
wife. Will you come upstairs with me?"
Words and manner were too pointed, and Mr. Carr hastily stacked the
books, and carried them to a side-table.
"Allow these to remain here until to-morrow," he said to Lord Hartledon;
"I'll send my clerk for them. I'm off now; it's later than I thought.
Good-night, Lady Hartledon."
He went out unmolested; Lady Hartledon did not answer him; Val nodded his
good-night.
"Are you not ashamed to face me, Lord Hartledon?" she then demanded.
"I overheard what you were saying."
"Overheard what we were saying?" he repeated, gazing at her with a scared
look.
"I heard that insidious man give you strange advice--'_you must quietly
separate from her_,' he said; meaning from me. And you listened
patiently, and did not knock him down!"
"Maude! Maude! was that all you heard?"
"_All!_ I should think it was enough."
"Yes, but--" He broke off, so agitated as scarcely to know what he was
saying. Rallying himself somewhat, he laid his hand upon the white cloak
covering her shoulders.
Pages:
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318