Part 123 (2/2)

Lady Glencora immediately ran up to her husband, and took him away from Mr. Grey. Rapidly she told her story,--with such rapidity that Mr.

Palliser could hardly get in a word. ”Do something for him;--do, do.

Unless I know that something is done, I shall die. You needn't be afraid.”

”I'm not afraid,” said Mr. Palliser.

Lady Glencora, as she went on quickly, got hold of her husband's hand, and caressed it. ”You are so good,” said she. ”Don't let him out of your sight. There; he is going. I will go home with Mr. Grey.

I will be ever so good; I will, indeed. You know what he'll want, and for my sake you'll let him have it. But don't let him gamble. If you could only get him home to England, and then do something. You owe him something, Plantagenet; do you not?”

”If money can do anything, he shall have it.”

”G.o.d bless you, dearest! I shall never see him again; but if you could save him! There;--he is going now. Go;--go.” She pushed him forward, and then retreating, put her arm within Mr. Grey's, still keeping her eye upon her husband.

Burgo, when he first got to the door leading out of the salon, had paused a moment, and, turning round, had encountered the big gendarme close to him. ”Well, old Buffer, what do you want?” said he, accosting the man in English. The big gendarme simply walked on through the door, and said nothing. Then Burgo also pa.s.sed out, and Mr. Palliser quickly went after him. They were now in the large front salon, from whence the chief door of the building opened out upon the steps. Through this door Burgo went without pausing, and Mr. Palliser went after him. They both walked to the end of the row of buildings, and then Burgo, leaving the broad way, turned into a little path which led up through the trees to the hills. That hillside among the trees is a popular resort at Baden, during the day; but now, at nine in the evening, it was deserted. Palliser did not press on the other man, but followed him, and did not accost Burgo till he had thrown himself on the gra.s.s beneath a tree.

”You are in trouble, I fear, Mr. Fitzgerald,” said Mr. Palliser, as soon as he was close at Burgo's feet.

”We will go home. Mr. Palliser has something to do,” said Lady Glencora to Mr. Grey, as soon as the two men had disappeared from her sight.

”Is that a friend of Mr. Palliser?” said Mr. Grey.

”Yes;--that is, he knows him, and is interested about him. Alice, shall we go home? Oh! Mr. Grey, you must not ask any questions.

He,--Mr. Palliser, will tell you everything when he sees you,--that is, if there is anything to be told.” Then they all went home, and soon separated for the night. ”Of course I shall sit up for him,”

said Lady Glencora to Alice, ”but I will do it in my own room. You can tell Mr. Grey, if you like.” But Alice told nothing to Mr. Grey, nor did Mr. Grey ask any questions.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

The Landlord's Bill.

”You are in trouble, Mr. Fitzgerald, I fear,” said Mr. Palliser, standing over Burgo as he lay upon the ground. They were now altogether beyond the gas-lights, and the evening was dark. Burgo, too, was lying with his face to the ground, expecting that the footsteps which he had heard would pa.s.s by him.

”Who is that?” said he, turning round suddenly; but still he was not at once able to recognize Mr. Palliser, whose voice was hardly known to him.

”Perhaps I have been wrong in following you,” said Mr. Palliser, ”but I thought you were in distress, and that probably I might help you.

My name is Palliser.”

”Plantagenet Palliser?” said Burgo, jumping up on to his legs and looking close into the other's face. ”By heavens! it is Plantagenet Palliser! Well, Mr. Palliser, what do you want of me?”

”I want to be of some use to you, if I can. I and my wife saw you leave the gaming-table just now.”

”Is she here too?”

”Yes;--she is here. We are going home, but chance brought us up to the salon. She seemed to think that you are in distress, and that I could help you. I will, if you will let me.”

Mr. Palliser, during the whole interview, felt that he could afford to be generous. He knew that he had no further cause for fear. He had no lingering dread of this poor creature who stood before him. All that feeling was over, though it was as yet hardly four months since he had been sent back by Mrs. Marsham to Lady Monk's house to save his wife, if saving her were yet possible.

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