Part 5 (1/2)
”I've tooabout that Lady Barbara, you've several brothers, I've one sister If one of your brothers saw fit to invite _my_ sister to a bachelor flat----”
”But you _haven't_ invited me!”
”I should horsewhip him,” Eric resumed jerkily
She considered him curiously with her head on one side
”You know, I don't feel afraid of you,” she told hih to understand that yet, but you will”
”Then for the present it's irrelevant Co, Lady Barbara”
He advanced a step, but she only srily round, but the strea up A clock inside the hall began to chiht, and he turned on his heel As he did so, a taxi turned into the street, and an officer clierly out and hoisted hihed and drew her shawl round her until half her face was hidden
”But, Eric dear, you can't have _lost_ the key,” she expostulated, purposefully clear
Over the shawl her eyes were glea with mischief and triumph
The officer looked quickly from one to the other
”Hullo! You locked out?” he enquired sympathetically ”Rotten luck!
Here, letlong?”
”That _is_ sweet of you,” said Barbara ”Long? I seehtfully tired; I want to sit down”
She walked into the hall, beckoning hiht and li to my club, Lady Barbara,” said Eric with slow distinctness fro on every door I see until I find your flat,” she retorted promptly ”I've told you, I want some soda-water And, Eric----”
”Yes, Lady Barbara”
”Eric, I always get what I want Who lives here, do you suppose? We'll try his door first”
Eric came in and walked to the foot of the stairs Barbara slipped her arh his, but he shook it away
”I'h with e in a childish brawl, Eric left it there, though the touch of her fingers on his wrist set his blood tingling They walked slowly, for he was trying to set his racing thoughts in order This, then, was the true Lady Barbara Neave He had never believed the fantastic stories about her, but she was now gratuitously shewing hi
He felt the sudden unpitying disgust of a disappointed idealist She was very young, with expressions which inal” was the word he was trying to findHe wondered how to rid hio my arm, I'll open the door,” he said with stiff patience
She walked into the small inner hall and looked round her with unaffected interest