Part 37 (1/2)
”London, I believe.”
”Oh! I say, that's a queer go, Merceron.”
”I don't know what to think about it. She's simply vanished,” said poor Charlie, and no one should wonder if his voice faltered a little.
Calder Wentworth laughed at many things, but he did not laugh now at Charlie Merceron. Indeed he looked unusually grave.
”I should drop it,” he remarked. ”It don't look--well--healthy.”
”Ah, you've never seen her,” said Charlie.
”No, and I tell you what--it won't be a bad thing if you don't see her again.”
”Why?”
”Because you're just in the state of mind to marry her.”
”And why shouldn't I?”
Mr. Wentworth made no answer, and they walked on till they readied Piccadilly Circus. Then Charlie suddenly darted forward.
”Hullo, what's up?” cried Calder, following him.
Charlie was talking eagerly to a very smart young lady who had just got down from an omnibus.
”By Jove! he can't have found, her!” thought Calder.
It was not the unknown, but her friend Nettie Wallace, whom Charlie's quick eye had discerned; and the next moment Willie Prime made his appearance. Charlie received them both almost with enthusiasm, and the news from Lang Marsh was asked and given. Calder drew near, and Charlie presented his friends to one another with the intent that he might get a word with Nettie while Calder engrossed her fiances attention.
”Have--have you heard from Miss Brown lately?” he was just beginning, when Calder, who had been looking steadily at Nettie, burst out:
”Hullo, I say, Miss Wallace, we've met before, haven't we? You know me, don't you?”
Nettie laughed.
”Oh, yes, I know you, sir. You're---”
She paused abruptly, and glanced from Charlie to Calder, and back from Calder to Charlie. Then she blushed very red indeed.
”Well, who am I?”
”I--I saw you at--at Miss Glyn's, Mr. Wentworth.”
”'Course you did--that's it;” and, looking curiously at the girl's flushed face, he added: ”Don't be afraid to mention Miss Glyn; Mr.
Merceron knows all about it.”
”All about it, does he, sir?” cried Nettie. ”Well, I'm glad of that. I haven't been easy in my mind ever since.”
Calder's conformation of eye enabled him to express much surprise by facial expression, and at this moment he used his power to the full.
”Awfully kind of you, Miss Wallace,” said he, ”but I don't see where your responsibility comes in. Ever since what?”