Part 40 (1/2)

”Frankly, mother, you don't--not on all occasions; but now to revert to the more important business. I am anxious to be back in town because I want this matter with regard to the Towers to be carried into effect as soon as possible. By the way, have you spoken to Sir John Thornton on the subject?”

”Yes, oh, yes! for goodness sake don't you interfere, my dear.”

”Of course I won't if you have done your duty. What did you say?”

”Oh, just what I thought necessary! I think I made up quite a moving story. Sir John listened attentively. Said he had the greatest possible respect for Squire Lorrimer; that it gave him considerable pain to feel that _parvenus_, like the Drummonds should reside at the Towers; but he said, further, that he could not quite tell how he was to interfere.”

”Oh, I dare say!” answered Antonia. ”I know enough of him to be certain that every step of the path to the rescue must be made clear by others.

Did he give you to understand, mother, that he would be willing to help Squire Lorrimer if the occasion arose?”

”Well, my dear, I gathered that he would not be averse to doing so; but, really, the matter is one of extreme delicacy, and one which it is quite impossible for me to say much about.”

”But I have not the least objection to talking about it,” said Antonia.

”It is one of my failings not to feel delicacy except with regard to art. I can talk to him if you like. I should recommend extreme bluntness. These obtuse people never see things unless they are put right up in front of their eyes.”

”Really, Antonia, in addition to being eccentric, you are now becoming positively vulgar. What have I done to be afflicted with a daughter like you? I beg and beseech of you not to say a word to Sir John on the subject.”

”All right, mother, I won't, if you will promise without fail to return to London to-morrow.”

”Oh, dear, dear, it will be most inconvenient.”

”But you'll come?”

”I--really----”

”I see Sir John in the distance; he is smoking a cigarette, which will soothe him while I talk. If I talk to him, you needn't go to London so soon. Which shall it be?”

”Oh, London, London--anything better than that you should worry poor Sir John. Was there ever a woman so worried? You had better send Pinkerton to me.”

”That's a good mother,” said Antonia, bestowing one of her rare and wonderfully sweet smiles upon her parent. She rushed away to the house in her headlong style; met Hester in one of the corridors; stopped her to exclaim, ”Cheer up, Hetty, the incubus is leaving by the first train in the morning,” and then finding Pinkerton, despatched her for orders to Mrs. Bernard Temple.

A few moments later, Antonia had forced her way into Susy's presence.

”Mother and I leave to-morrow,” she said. ”I don't know if you feel inclined to stay here much longer?”

”I? No, I'm sure I don't,” answered Susy. ”I am sick of the place; they are all such a lot of slow coaches.”

”County people, you know,” said Antonia with a slight sneer, ”are always a little slow to us _parvenus_; we're so wonderfully fresh, you know; not worn out like the poor county folk.”

”You can call yourself a _parvenu_ if you like,” said Susy in a rage, ”but I decline to allow the name to be applied to me; however, I think I'll go back to father to-morrow, and I may as well take advantage of your escort.”

”That's what I thought. Get your maid to pack your things, for we shall be off by the first train, remember. By the way, did you hear from your father with regard to your letter?”

”Yes, I heard this morning.”

”Well, what did he say?”

”He says he is sorry I don't like the Towers, but he doesn't see how he is to get out of the purchase now. He is to take possession in a little over a month.”

”What a horrible future for you,” said Antonia. ”That musty old place--the ghost in the tower--the family feud----”

”What do you mean by the family feud?”