Part 48 (1/2)
Dominey found Rosamund and Doctor Harrison, who had walked over from the village, lingering on the terrace. He welcomed the latter warmly.
”You are a G.o.dsend, Doctor,” he declared. ”I have been obliged to leave my port untasted for want of a companion. You will excuse us for a moment Rosamund?”
She nodded pleasantly, and the doctor followed his host into the dining-room and took his seat at the table where the dessert still remained.
”Old woman threatening mischief?” the latter asked, with a keen glance from under his s.h.a.ggy grey eyebrows.
”I think she means it,” Dominey replied, as he filled his guest's gla.s.s.
”Personally,” he went on, after a moment's pause, ”the present situation is beginning to confirm an old suspicion of mine. I am a hard and fast materialist, you know, Doctor, in certain matters, and I have not the slightest faith in the vindictive mother, terrified to death lest the razing of a wood of unwholesome character should turn out into the cold world the spirit of her angel son.”
”What do you believe?” the doctor asked bluntly.
”I would rather not tell you at the present moment,” Dominey answered.
”It would sound too fantastic.”
”Your note this afternoon spoke of urgency,” the doctor observed.
”The matter is urgent. I want you to do me a great favour--to remain here all night.”
”You are expecting something to happen?”
”I wish, at any rate, to be prepared.”
”I'll stay, with pleasure,” the doctor promised. ”You can lend me some paraphernalia, I suppose? And give me a shake-down somewhere near Lady Dominey's. By-the-by,” he began, and hesitated.
”I have followed your advice, or rather your orders,” Dominey interrupted, a little harshly. ”It has not always been easy, especially in London, where Rosamund is away from these a.s.sociations.--I am hoping great things from what may happen to-night, or very soon.”
The doctor nodded sympathetically.
”I shouldn't wonder if you weren't on the right track,” he declared.
Rosamund came in through the window to them and seated herself by Dominey's side.
”Why are you two whispering like conspirators?” she demanded.
”Because we are conspirators,” he replied lightly. ”I have persuaded Doctor Harrison to stay the night. He would like a room in our wing.
Will you let the maids know, dear?”
She nodded thoughtfully.
”Of course! There are several rooms quite ready. Mrs. Midgeley thought that we might be bringing down some guests. I am quite sure that we can make Doctor Harrison comfortable.”
”No doubt about that, Lady Dominey,” the doctor declared. ”Let me be as near to your apartment as possible.”
There was a shade of anxiety in her face.
”You think that to-night something will happen?” she asked.
”To-night, or one night very soon,” Dominey a.s.sented. ”It is just as well for you to be prepared. You will not be afraid, dear? You will have the doctor on one side of you and me on the other.”