Part 67 (1/2)

She made no movement or reply, reclining there, one hand on her wine-gla.s.s, the smile still curving her lips. And he repeated his question in a low, distinct voice--too low for Neergard to hear; and he was still listening.

”Grounds? Oh, he thinks I've misbehaved with--never mind who. It is not true--but he cares nothing about that, either. You see”--and she bent nearer, confidentially, with a mysterious little nod of her pretty head--”you see, Jack Ruthven is a little insane... . You are surprised? Pooh! I've suspected it for months.”

He stared at her; then: ”Where are you stopping?”

”Aboard the _Niobrara_.”

”Is Mrs. Fane a guest there, too?”

He spoke loud enough for Rosamund to hear; and she answered for herself with a smile at him, brimful of malice:

”Delighted to have you come aboard, Captain Selwyn. Is that what you are asking permission to do?”

”Thanks,” he returned dryly; and to Alixe: ”If you are ready, Gerald and I will take you over to the _Niobrara_ in the motor-boat--”

”Oh, no, you won't!” broke in Neergard with a sneer--”you'll mind your own business, my intrusive friend, and I'll take care of my guests without your a.s.sistance.”

Selwyn appeared not to hear him: ”Come on, Gerald,” he said pleasantly; ”Mrs. Ruthven is going over to the _Niobrara_--”

”For G.o.d's sake,” whispered Gerald, white as a sheet, ”don't force me into trouble with Neergard.”

Selwyn turned on him an astonished gaze: ”Are you _afraid_ of that whelp?”

”Yes,” muttered the boy--”I--I'll explain later. But don't force things now, I beg you.”

Mrs. Ruthven coolly leaned over and spoke to Gerald in a low voice; then, to Selwyn, she said with a smile: ”Rosamund and I are going to Brookminster, anyway, so you and Gerald need not wait... . And thank you for coming over. It was rather nice of you”--she glanced insolently at Neergard--”considering the crowd we're with. _Good_-night, Captain Selwyn! _Good_-night, Gerald. So very jolly to have seen you again!”

And, under her breath to Selwyn: ”You need not worry; I am going in a moment. Good-bye and--thank you, Phil. It _is_ good to see somebody of one's own caste again.”

A few moments later, Selwyn and Gerald in their oilskins were das.h.i.+ng eastward along the coast in the swiftest motor-boat south of the Narrows.

The boy seemed deathly tired as they crossed the dim lawn at Silverside.

Once, on the veranda steps he stumbled, and Selwyn's arm sustained him; but the older man forbore to question him, and Gerald, tight-lipped and haggard, offered no confidence until, at the door of his bedroom, he turned and laid an unsteady hand on Selwyn's shoulder: ”I want to talk with you--to-morrow. May I?”

”You know you may, Gerald. I am always ready to stand your friend.”

”I know... . I must have been crazy to doubt it. You are very good to me. I--I am in a very bad fix. I've got to tell you.”

”Then we'll get you out of it, old fellow,” said Selwyn cheerfully.

”That's what friends are for, too.”

The boy s.h.i.+vered--looked at the floor, then, without raising his eyes, said good-night, and, entering his bedroom, closed the door.

As Selwyn pa.s.sed back along the corridor, the door of his sister's room opened, and Austin and Nina confronted him.

”Has that damfool boy come in?” demanded his brother-in-law, anxiety making his voice tremulous under its tone of contempt.

”Yes. Leave him to me, please. Good-night”--submitting to a tender embrace from his sister--”I suppose Eileen has retired, hasn't she? It's an unG.o.dly hour--almost sunrise.”