Part 53 (1/2)
What a delightful meal! I have seen nothing more refined in Paris.”
There was a delicious lobster-salad, a dish of cold cutlets and jelly, and a great heap of strawberries with cream.
”Now get to business,” said Mrs. Wilders, in a snarling, ill-tempered way; ”let's have it out.”
”It's a pity you are out of humour this morning,” observed Mr. Hobson, with a provoking forbearance. ”I have come to find fault.”
Mrs. Wilders shrugged her shoulders, implying that she did not care.
”It may seem ungracious, but I must take you to task seriously. How is it you give me no news?”
”I tell you all I hear; what more do you want?”
”A great deal. Look here, Cyprienne, I am not to be put off with stale, second-hand gossip--the echoes of the Clubs; vague, empty rumours that are on everybody's tongue long before they come to me. I must have fresh, brand-new intelligence, straight from the fountain-head. You must get it for me, or--”
The old frightened look which we have seen on Mrs. Wilders's face before when brought into antagonism with this man returned to it, and her voice was less firm, her manner less defiant, as she said--
”Spare me your threats. You know I am most anxious to oblige you--to help you.”
”You have put me off too long with these vague promises. I must have something more tangible at once.”
”It is so difficult to find out anything.”
”Not if you go the right way to work. A woman of your attractions, your cleverness, ought to be able to twist any man round her finger.
You have done it often enough already, goodness knows. Now, there's old Faulks; when did you see him last?”
”Not a week ago.”
”And you got nothing out of him? I thought he was devoted to you.”
”He is most attentive, most obliging, but still exceedingly wary. He will talk about anything rather than business. I have tried him repeatedly. I have introduced the subject of his nephew, of whom he is now so proud.”
”Your enemy, you mean--that young McKay.”
”Exactly. I thought that by bringing the conversation to the Crimea I might squeeze out something important. But no! he is always as close as an oyster.”
”He will be ready enough to talk about his dear nephew before long.
You may look out for some startling news about McKay.”
”Really?” said Mrs. Wilders, growing suddenly excited. ”Your plan has succeeded, then?”
”Any day you may hear that he has been removed effectually, and for ever, from your path. But for the moment that will keep. What presses is that you should squeeze old Faulks. There is something that I must know to-day, or to-morrow at latest. You must go and see him at once.”
”At his office?”
”Why not?”
”But on what pretence? I have never been there as yet. He has always come here to lunch or dine. He is fond of a good dinner.”