Part 28 (1/2)

Aunt Maggie put her hand to her forehead. ”Was that the end, dear?”

”Why, the end was more absurd than ever. Although I tried, I couldn't hit Rollo--simply couldn't. He hurt me, but I couldn't do anything, and he threw me down and went off with Dora. Doesn't it show how ridiculous dreams are? Fancy dear old Rollo being stronger than me!

Is your head hurting, Aunt Maggie?”

”Just a shoot of pain--it's gone now.”

While he described his dream, and while she pictured it, one of those flutterings had run up violently in her brain. It pa.s.sed, but left its influence. ”Absurd!” she agreed. ”If ever you did quarrel with him--”

Percival laughed. ”I never could, in any case.”

”Are you very fond of him, Percival?”

Rollo was returning to London that day. ”I simply hate his going away,” Percival said. ”I wish to goodness he lived here always. He wishes it, too.”

CHAPTER VII

BURDON HOUSE LEASED: THE OLD MANOR OCCUPIED

I

It happened that within a very short time of that wish it was granted.

Burdon House in Mount Street was let; Burdon Old Manor was permanently occupied.

This began in a visit that Lady Burdon, very decidedly out of temper, paid to Mr. Pemberton at the office in Bedford Row. Relations between Lady Burdon and the little old lawyer had radically altered since that occasion of their first meeting at Miller's Field. Mr. Pemberton, who in these years had relinquished to his son all the business save the cherished Burdon affairs, had long been aware that the misgivings which had clouded his first happy impression of Lady Burdon had been the juster estimate of her character. He had perceived the dominance she exercised over her indulgent husband; he had accepted, after what protest he dared, that the management of the estate was in her hands.

He had foreseen the fruits of the wilfulness of a woman thrown out of balance by the sudden acquisition of place and possessions; it was because these fruits were now being plucked that he preferred to keep the Burdon affairs in his own hands. He could not bear the thought of handing over to his son this honoured trust in shape that would cause a lifting of the eyebrows: ”Father, I've been going through the Burdon papers. I say, they seem in a precious bad way ... I don't understand....”

He could not endure the thought of that.

On this day when Lady Burdon came angrily--and defiantly--to Bedford Row, the position was raised very acutely between them.

”I know--I know,” Mr. Pemberton was saying. ”But, Lady Burdon, you must perceive the possibility--nay, in the circ.u.mstances, the extreme probability--that though Lord Burdon countenances in the smallest particular all you find it necessary to spend--and on the property not to spend--he yet may not appreciate the state of affairs--the imperative necessity that a halt be called. I have written to him frequently. The replies come from you.”

She parted her lips to speak, but he had already had sufficient taste of her mood to make him hasten with: ”I know. I know. Lord Burdon has told us both that he hates business and that he likes to encourage you in the pleasure you find in it. That is admitted, Lady Burdon. We have no quarrel there. My point is--how far is Lord Burdon to be suffered to indulge his dislike? how long is he to be kept in ignorance? I think no longer. That is why I purpose making a call on him. I purpose it, again, because I believe Lord Burdon's influence--when he understands--may join with mine to move you, where mine alone causes you annoyance.”

He indicated the papers that littered the table. ”You see the position. I tell you again--I tell you with all the seriousness of which I am capable--that the crash is as near to you as I am near to you sitting here. I tell you that it is not to be averted unless for a period--a mere few years--Burdon House is given up. It will let immediately on a short lease. There, alone, will be more than relief--a.s.sistance. It will save you much that you now find necessary--there is the relief of the whole situation.”

She broke out: ”It would never have come to this but for the cost of this irrigation scheme on the Burdon property. That is your doing--yours and Mr. Maxwell's. I tell you again I was amazed--amazed when I heard of it.”

”And I have reminded you, Lady Burdon, that when I approached you in the matter you desired not to be troubled with it. I had often and often urged it upon you. This time you said it was to be left entirely to our discretion--Maxwell's and mine.”

”I shall repudiate the contract. The work is not begun. You can get out of it as best you can.”

He said very quietly, ”That is open to you--of course.” He paused and she did not speak, and he went on. ”You would have no case, I think.

The authority is too clear. But I do not mind saying I would try to get out of the contract or--. Our firm could not be involved in a lawsuit against the house we have served these generations.” He dropped his voice and said more to himself than to her: ”No--no. Never that!” He looked up at her and a.s.sumed a cheerful note: ”You have to think of your son, you know, Lady Burdon. What is he to come into?

This irrigation scheme will be the making of the property--the land cries for it. If you can cut off the Burdon House establishment for a few years, young Mr. Rollo will have reason to bless you when in process of time he a.s.sumes the t.i.tle. If you decide--”

She rose abruptly: ”I must be going.”