Part 36 (1/2)

MARGARET SETTLES THE QUESTION

Harry Talfourd hurried Margaret Wallace into the street as fast as circ.u.mstances permitted, while the guests at Mrs. Lamb's were looking at each other, exchanging whispers, asking what had happened, what the thing which had happened meant. A few seconds after the hostess' departure the crowded rooms were filled with the buzz of voices, which rose higher and higher until it became a pandemonium of noise. Mrs. Lamb's ”At Home” had resolved itself into chaos.

Outside in the street Mr. Talfourd did not find it easy to get a cab; the chaos within was already beginning to make itself felt without. The whole roadway was a confusion of vehicles.

Perceiving that it was inadvisable to stand still, since they immediately became the cynosure of curious, and even impertinent, eyes, Harry marched resolutely onward, holding the girl tightly by the arm. They had to go some little distance before they could find a four-wheeled cab which would condescend to give them shelter.

So soon as they were in, Margaret drew back into the corner of her seat with a movement so eloquent that Harry seemed to hear her s.h.i.+ver. He was silent, trying to collect his thoughts. He was as much at a loss as any of the excited people they were leaving behind. When he spoke it was lightly, as if he desired to make as little of the matter as might be. He was conscious that in the farther corner, as far away from him as she could get, was the girl he loved, in a mood wholly unlike any that he had known before. He was fearful of what might be coming next.

So he endeavoured not to be serious.

”This promises to be a night of adventure. Did you ever see such a scramble for cabs? People were rus.h.i.+ng out of the house as if it were on fire. We'll hope there'll be no accident before they've finished. What did you think of Mrs. Gregory Lamb?

Something must have occurred to upset her equilibrium; she showed quite a new side of her character.” Margaret was still.

He seemed to hear her breathe; he wondered if it were possible that she was crying. He put out his hand, touching hers gently with his finger-tips. Although she did not repulse him she remained impa.s.sive, not in any way acknowledging his caress.

”Meg, I hope you're not worrying yourself about that woman's behaviour. She's not quite responsible, I fancy. She certainly wasn't to-night, but there was nothing that need trouble you.”

”I am wondering what she meant.”

”Meant? My dear child, she meant nothing, absolutely nothing.

She's a trifle mad, that's all.”

”I'm not so sure. I believe she did mean something.”

”What on earth makes you think that? What could she mean?”

”I can't explain. At present I don't understand myself; but I shall--I know I shall. Only I'm afraid.”

”Afraid! Sweetheart, don't talk like that! You make me feel as if I had done something I oughtn't to have done.”

”You have done nothing. Still I wish you hadn't introduced me. I asked you not to.”

”But, Meg! the whole thing was your own proposition; the whole idea was yours from first to last.”

”Yes, I know; but then I didn't understand.”

”What didn't you understand?”

”I hadn't seen her.”

”You hadn't seen her? Meg, have you ever seen Mrs. Lamb before?”

”Never.”

”Has she ever seen you?”

”That's what I'm wondering; that's what I'm trying to make out.”

”It's a very mysterious business altogether; and the way you're taking it seems to me to be not the least mysterious part of the whole affair--and I can't say that I'm fond of mysteries.