Part 29 (2/2)

”Charmin', isn't it?” said Lady Chaloner. And quite imperturbably, at first with an effort, which became easier as the meal went on, the whole party went on talking and laughing as usual, with, perhaps, if the truth were known, an added zest of excitement, certainly on the part of some of its members, at ”something” having happened. The two extra places that had been put were taken away again, and the rank closed up indifferently and gaily round the table, as ranks do close up when comrades disappear by the way.

In the meantime Rendel was madly hurrying away through the wood, going straight in front of him, not knowing what he was doing, what he proposed to do--his one idea being to get away, away, away from those smiling, distinguished indifferent people, hitherto his own a.s.sociates, who now all knew the horrible fate that had overtaken him, who would from henceforth turn their backs upon him too. The thought of that moment when he had been face to face with Stamfordham, of those distinct, inexorable tones, of the words which judged and for ever condemned him, burnt like a physical, horrible flame from which he could not escape. He flung himself down at last, and buried his face in his hands, trying to shut out everything, as a frightened child pulls the clothes over its head in the darkness. Then, to his terror, he heard footsteps in the wood. Who was it? Was this some one else who knew?

Would he have to go through it all over again? And he lifted his head in anguish as the steps drew nearer. The sight of the newcomer brought him no relief. It was Wentworth, who, anxious and bewildered, came stumbling along, having by some strange chance come in the direction that brought him to the person he was seeking. Rendel looked at him.

”Well?” he said, in a strained voice, as though demanding an explanation of Wentworth's intrusion.

The sight of his face completely bewildered Wentworth.

”Good G.o.d, Rendel!” he said, ”what is it? What has happened?”

There was a pause. Then Rendel said, trying with very indifferent success to speak in a voice that sounded something like his own--

”Didn't you see what happened?”

”I saw that--that--Stamfordham----” Wentworth began, then he stopped.

”Yes,” said Rendel curtly, ”you saw it--you saw what Stamfordham did?

Well, there's an end of it,” and he looked miserably around him as though hemmed in by the powers of earth and heaven.

”But, Frank,” Wentworth said, still feeling as if all this were some frightful dream, one of those dreams so vivid that they live with the dreamer for weeks afterwards, and sometimes actually go to make his waking opinion of the persons who have appeared in them, ”tell me--what----”

”Jack,” said Rendel, ”it's no good talking about it. I'll tell you another time, I daresay, if I can. Leave me alone now, there's a good fellow--that's all I want.”

”Look here, Frank,” said Wentworth; ”if it's anything--anything that Stamfordham thinks you've done--that--that you oughtn't to have done--well, I don't believe it, that's all!”

”You are a good friend, old Jack,” said Rendel, looking at him. ”I might have known you wouldn't believe it.”

”Of course I don't,” said Wentworth stoutly. ”I don't know what it is, but I don't believe it all the same.”

”Well,” said Rendel slowly, ”I'll tell you this for your comfort--you needn't believe it.”

”Of course not,” said Wentworth heartily, ”and I don't care what it is, of course you didn't do it. And what's more, I know you can't have done anything to be ashamed of, and of course other people will know it too,”

he said sanguinely, carried along by his zealous friends.h.i.+p.

Rendel's face turned dark red again. ”No,” he said, ”other people won't.

Of course other people will think I have done it. Don't let's talk about it now. The fact is,” mastering his voice with an effort, ”I can't, Jack. Just go away, and leave me alone. I'll come back some time.”

”But what are you going to do? You're not going to sit here all day, I suppose.”

”I'll come later,” Rendel said. ”You must find your way back without me, there's a good fellow. By the way,” he added, ”I'm sorry to have spoilt your day; I'm afraid you've had no luncheon. But you'll be back in Schleppenheim in time to get some. Look here, would you mind saying to my wife that--that I've walked a little further than you cared to go, or something of that sort, and that I'll be back at dinner time?”

”Very well,” said Wentworth, hesitatingly. ”She is not likely to be anxious, is she?” he said dubiously. ”I mean, at your being away so long. She won't be alarmed, will she?”

”Oh no,” said Rendel. ”That is to say, if you don't alarm her.” And then looking up and seeing Wentworth's anxious expression, so very unlike the usual one, ”And you needn't be alarmed yourself, Jack; I'm not going to do anything desperate,” he said, forcing a smile; ”that's not in my line.”

”No, no, of course not,” Wentworth said, with a sort of air of being entirely at his ease. And then reading in Rendel's face how the one thing he longed for was to be alone, he said abruptly, ”All right, then, we shall meet later,” and strode off the way he had come.

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