Part 57 (2/2)
Mr. Melbury, sir, as a man's that put by money, why not retire and live here, and see something of the world?”
The responses at last given by him to their queries guided them to the building that offered the best accommodation in Sherton--having been enlarged contemporaneously with the construction of the railway--namely, the Earl of Wess.e.x Hotel.
Leaving the others without, Melbury made prompt inquiry here. His alarm was lessened, though his perplexity was increased, when he received a brief reply that such a lady was in the house.
”Do you know if it is my daughter?” asked Melbury.
The waiter did not.
”Do you know the lady's name?”
Of this, too, the household was ignorant, the hotel having been taken by brand-new people from a distance. They knew the gentleman very well by sight, and had not thought it necessary to ask him to enter his name.
”Oh, the gentleman appears again now,” said Melbury to himself. ”Well, I want to see the lady,” he declared.
A message was taken up, and after some delay the shape of Grace appeared descending round the bend of the stair-case, looking as if she lived there, but in other respects rather guilty and frightened.
”Why--what the name--” began her father. ”I thought you went out to get parsley!”
”Oh, yes--I did--but it is all right,” said Grace, in a flurried whisper. ”I am not alone here. I am here with Edgar. It is entirely owing to an accident, father.”
”Edgar! An accident! How does he come here? I thought he was two hundred mile off.”
”Yes, so he is--I mean he has got a beautiful practice two hundred miles off; he has bought it with his own money, some that came to him.
But he travelled here, and I was nearly caught in a man-trap, and that's how it is I am here. We were just thinking of sending a messenger to let you know.”
Melbury did not seem to be particularly enlightened by this explanation.
”You were caught in a man-trap?”
”Yes; my dress was. That's how it arose. Edgar is up-stairs in his own sitting-room,” she went on. ”He would not mind seeing you, I am sure.”
”Oh, faith, I don't want to see him! I have seen him too often a'ready.
I'll see him another time, perhaps, if 'tis to oblige 'ee.”
”He came to see me; he wanted to consult me about this large partners.h.i.+p I speak of, as it is very promising.”
”Oh, I am glad to hear it,” said Melbury, dryly.
A pause ensued, during which the inquiring faces and whity-brown clothes of Melbury's companions appeared in the door-way.
”Then bain't you coming home with us?” he asked.
”I--I think not,” said Grace, blus.h.i.+ng.
”H'm--very well--you are your own mistress,” he returned, in tones which seemed to a.s.sert otherwise. ”Good-night;” and Melbury retreated towards the door.
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