Part 50 (1/2)
”And I and my feelings are to be used as a p.a.w.n in the game.”
”That is the view of a very clever but very young lady who sets great store upon having her way in her own way. But it is not Count Karl's view, Christabel.”
”And Gareth?”
”Ah, there has been most extraordinary bungling over that.”
”Bungling?” I cried, indignantly, almost contemptuously. ”Would you offer me these while speaking in such terms of her?” and I picked up the marguerites and tossed them again down nearer to him.
”Almost you hurt me there,” he said with a sigh. ”The thing is full of thorns; but of this you may be sure. You would not be asked by me to desert that poor child. What is to be done must be done in the open; but what is best to do--where best seems to mean worst for some one--cannot yet be decided. Frankly I do not yet see the way.”
”Does the Duke know of her?”
”I think not---I almost fear not. His faith in Count Gustav is surprising for a man of his experience. But then he is his father.”
”He is a sorry, shoddy hero for the Patriots,” I exclaimed, with such bitterness that His Excellency lifted a hand in protest.
”He is the only possible leader after his father, Christabel; and for that reason I am going to ask you to hold your hand. I can offer you these now, may I not?” and he held out the marguerites to me with a smile.
”Yes--but I cannot take them yet.”
His face clouded. ”You have something in your thoughts, yet.”
”It is close to twelve o'clock and he has not come,” I replied, significantly.
He lifted the letter from Gustav. ”We have this. You will wait--after what I have said?”
”Not a minute unless you make me a prisoner.”
”Don't, Christabel. That is unjust. Where are you going?”
”To my own house.”
”Who is there?”
”At present, Gareth--only.”
”Whom do you expect?”
”Count Gustav----and others.”
”For G.o.d's sake,” he cried, more disconcerted than I had ever seen him; and his white shapely fingers twisted the flowers nervously during the pause that followed. ”You have frightened me,” he murmured at length.
”The deeds are not of my doing,” I said slowly.
”Where is your house?”
”Why do you wish to know?”
”That I may follow you there presently,” he answered.