Part 28 (1/2)

When he had gone Sybil arose, and seating herself near her mother, said:

”Mamma, you were saying something about going to the city yesterday; have you decided about it?”

Mrs. Lamotte, who had had no thought of going to the city, and who was fully conscious that she had made no remarks on the subject, looked up without a ruffle upon her placid countenance and replied, like a wise and good mother.

”No, my child, I have not decided.”

”Then, when you decide to go, inform me beforehand, mamma. I think I should like to accompany you and do some shopping for myself.”

Here Burrill showed such marked symptoms of outbreak that Mr. Lamotte who, throughout the hour they had pa.s.sed in the drawing room, had been a quiet but close observer, thought it wise to interpose, and artfully attempted to avert the impending storm by saying:

”Now that sounds natural. I'm glad that you feel like shopping, Sybil, and like getting out more. Very glad, aren't you, Burrill?”

But Mr. Burrill had no notion of being thus appeased; instead of spiking a gun Jasper Lamotte had opened a battery.

”I'm delighted to hear that Mrs. Burrill has stopped moping,” he said gruffly; ”but I'll be hanged if I'm glad to hear myself left out of all the programmes, and I'll be cussed if I'm going to put up with it, either,” and Mr. Burrill, being full in more senses than one, arose and paced the room with more fierceness than regularity.

Mr. Lamotte forgot himself so far as to utter an angry imprecation between his shut teeth, and to wrinkle his forehead into a dark frown.

Mrs. Lamotte allowed a shade of contempt to creep about her lips as she turned her eyes upon her daughter, but Sybil looked not one whit disconcerted.

”I've got something to say about my wife,” went on Mr. Burrill, ”and I'm blessed if I don't say it.”

What had come over Sybil? Heretofore she would in any way, in every way, have avoided an encounter with him; she would have quitted the field or have remained deaf as a post; but now, ”Say it, then, Mr. Burrill, say it, by all means, here and now,” she retorted in the coolest voice imaginable.

And Mr. Burrill did say it.

”I've had enough of being made a fool of, Mrs. Sybil Burrill; I've had enough of being a carpet under your feet, and nothing better. I'm your equal, and anybody's equal, that's what _I_ am, and I'm going to have _my_ rights. It's very well for you to announce that you're going here and going there, Mrs. Burrill; but let me tell you that you go _nowhere_ except John Burrill goes with you, that's settled.”

Sybil laughed scornfully.

”Not quite so fast, Mr. Burrill, just stand still one moment, if you _can_ stand still, which I doubt. You say you will accompany me wherever I go; I say you may accompany me wherever people will tolerate you, nowhere else. You are not the man to force into a gentleman's parlor; you would disgrace his kitchen, his stable. The streets are free to all, you can accompany me in my drives; the churches are open to the vilest, you can go with me there; but into the houses of my friends you _shall not_ go; I will not so abuse friends.h.i.+p. You have counted upon me to gain you _entree_ to Wardour and to a dozen houses, the thresholds of which you will never cross. If you are not satisfied with this, then you must be suited with less. I will not be seen with you at all.”

Again Jasper Lamotte, vexed and alarmed for the _denouement_, interposed; knowing she was striking at Burrill's chief weakness:

”But Sybil, Miss Wardour, here in her meetings with Burrill, tacitly recognized his right to call.”

She turned upon him swiftly.

”You know why she did it, sir; it is useless to discuss the question.

You may calm Mr. Burrill in any way you please, or can. You know the terms on which he became my husband. He will continue my husband on my own terms. He shall not cross the threshold of Wardour, protected by my presence, and without it the door would close in his face. If Mr.

Burrill does not like my terms, let him say so. _It is not in his power or yours to alter my decision._” And Sybil once more gathered together her silken skirts, lest in pa.s.sing they should brush the now collapsed Mr. Burrill, and swept from the room.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”It is not in his power or yours to alter my decision.”]

Mr. Lamotte turned to his wife.

”You must talk with that girl,” he said, savagely, ”what the devil ails you all?”