"The same man was here on Friday night again; and when you came
to the house afterwards, you and Lord Hartledon sat up until nearly
daylight."
Mr. Carr, who had his eyes on the exacting baby, shook his head, and
intimated that he was really unable to understand her.
"When you are in town he is always at your chambers; when you are away he
receives long letters from you that I may not read."
"Yes, we have been on terms of close friendship for years. And Lord
Hartledon is an idle man, you know, and looks me up."
"He said you were arranging some business for him last autumn."
"Last autumn? Let me see. Yes, I think I was."
"Mr. Carr, is it of any use playing with me? Do you think it right or
kind to do so?"
His manner changed at once; he turned to her with eyes as earnest as her
own.
"Lady Hartledon, I would tell you anything that I could and ought to tell
you. That your husband has been engaged in some complicated business,
which I have been--which I have taken upon myself to arrange for him, is
very true. I know that he does not wish it mentioned, and therefore my
lips are sealed: but it is as well you did not know it, for it would give
you no satisfaction."
"Does it involve anything very frightful?"
"It might involve the--the loss of a large sum of money," he answered,
making the best reply he could.
Lady Hartledon sank her voice to a whisper.
Pages:
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451