"She has just been wishing you were hanged."
"Ah, you have been teasing her," he returned, with composure. "Maude says
all sorts of things when she's put out."
"Perhaps she does," was the retort; "but she meant this, for she showed
her teeth when she said it. You can't blind me; and I have seen ever
since I came here that there was something wrong between you and Maude."
For that matter, Val had seen it too. Since the night of his wife's
fainting-fit she had scarcely spoken a word to him; had appeared as if
she could not tolerate his presence for an instant in her room. Lord
Hartledon felt persuaded that it arose from resentment at his having
refused to allow her to see the stranger. He rose from his seat.
"There's nothing wrong between me and Maude, Lady Kirton. If there were,
you must pardon me for saying that I could not suffer any interference in
it. But there is not."
"Something's wrong somewhere. I found her just now sobbing and moaning
over Eddie, wishing they were both dead, and all the rest of it. If she
goes on like this for nothing, she's losing her senses, that's all."
"She'll be all right when she's stronger. Pray don't worry her. She'll be
well soon, I daresay. And now I shall be glad if you'll leave me, for I
am very busy."
She did not leave him any the quicker for the request, but stayed to
worry him, as it was in her nature to worry every one.
Pages:
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464