Part 22 (1/2)
”H-u-m,” reflected Harleston; and his glance sought Mrs. Spencer's and held it. ”Where is Mrs. Clephane now?” he demanded.
For just an instant her eyes narrowed and grew very dark. Then suddenly she laughed--lightly, with just a suggestion of mockery in the tones.
”Mrs. Clephane--is yonder!” said she.
Harleston turned quickly. Mrs. Clephane was coming down the corridor.
XI
HALF A LIE
”Somewhat unexpected, isn't it?” Harleston asked.
”To whom--you, her, or myself?” Mrs. Spencer inquired.
”To you.”
”Not at _all_. I'm never surprised at anything!” Then just a trace of derision came into her face. ”Won't you present me, Mr. Harleston?”
”Certainly, I will,” he responded gravely, and arose.
”Another unexpected!” she mocked. ”But she _is_ good to look at, Guy, I must grant you that. Also--” and she laughed lightly.
”One moment,” said he tranquilly, and turned toward Mrs. Clephane--who had caught sight of him and was undecided what to do.
Now, smiling adorably, she came to meet him.
”The two beauties of the season!” he thought; and as he bowed over her hand he whispered: ”Not a word of explanation _now_; and play ignorance of _everything_.--Understand?”
”I don't understand--but I'll do as you direct,” she murmured.
”I want to present you to Mrs. Spencer--the woman whom, you will recall, I asked you in the red-room if you recognized. Be careful, she is of the enemy--and particularly dangerous.”
”Everyone seems to be dangerous except myself,” she replied. ”I'm an imbecile, or a child in arms.”
”_I'm_ not dangerous to you,” he answered.
”That, sir, remains to be proven.”
”And I like your idea of the child in arms--provided it's my arms,” he whispered.
Her reply was a reproving glance from her brown eyes and a shake of the head.
”I'm delighted to meet you, Mrs. Clephane,” Mrs. Spencer greeted, before Harleston could say a word. She made place on the divan and drew Mrs.
Clephane down beside her. ”You're Robert Clephane's widow, are you not?”
”Robert Clephane was, I believe, a distant cousin,” Mrs. Clephane responded. ”De Forrest Clephane was my husband. Did you know him, Mrs.
Spencer?”