Part 27 (2/2)
To cut him short, Riatt said quickly: ”Now, of course, the marriage is out of the question.”
Hickson's face brightened, as if the difficult words had been said for him. ”You do feel that?” he said, nodding a little as if to encourage his friend.
Max did not answer at first in words; he laughed rather bitterly, and then after a pause he said, ”Yes, Hickson, I do.”
Ned was clearly relieved. ”Of course,” he said, ”I did not know how that would be. But I own it did occur to me. The world is very censorious of poor Christine. Every one will say that she is the kind of woman who can't stick to a man in adversity. Yes, I a.s.sure you, Riatt, lots of these women who can't put down one of their motors without having nervous prostration will pillory Christine for breaking her engagement, unless--” he paused.
”I don't follow your idea, Ned.”
Hickson sighed. ”Why, as long as you recognize the impossibility of the marriage, couldn't you in some way make it appear that the breaking of the engagement came from you--as--if--”
”I see,” said Riatt. There was a short silence, and then he asked in a tone that sounded perfectly calm to Hickson: ”Is this a message from Christine?”
”Oh, no. Not a message from Christine, though she has been trying to communicate with you for two days. She can't see why you won't even answer her letters. I told her I would find you--”
”In fact, it _is_ a message, or at least you are her messenger?”
”No, Riatt, at least not from her. I have a message for you, but not from her.”
”From whom?”
”From Linburne. He has the greatest admiration for your power, abilities, in spite of any differences you may have had. He wants to offer you a position, only he felt awkward about doing it himself after what has taken place. He asked me to speak to you. It's a good salary, only it means going to Manchuria, no--”
”One moment,” said Riatt. ”These two messages, are they in any way connected?”
”I don't understand.”
”Linburne's offer is not by any chance the reward for my giving Christine a suitable release?”
Hickson was really shocked. ”How can you think such a thing, Riatt?”
”Where did you see Linburne?”
Hickson hesitated, but confessed after some protest that it had been at Christine's house.
”But you don't understand, you really don't,” he said. ”She has been distracted by your reverses, and not hearing from you she has turned to me, to Jack Ussher, to any one who could give her news and help you, as she imagined--”
”I understand quite enough,” answered Riatt. ”Thank Mr. Linburne for his kind offer and say I have other plans; and tell Christine she can have her absolution for nothing. I'll give her a letter that will put her right with every one.” And walking to a desk:
”My dear Christine,” he wrote. ”As you are aware, I have lost everything I have in the world, and though I know that to a spirit like your own poverty could not alter love, I must own that I, more experienced in privation, find that the situation has had a somewhat chilling effect upon my emotions. In short, my dear, I cannot begin life over again hampered by a wife. Thanking you for the loyalty with which you have stood by me in this crisis, and wis.h.i.+ng you every happiness in the future, believe me
”Sincerely yours,
”R.M. RIATT.”
He handed the note to Hickson. ”I think that, taken externally, will effect a cure,” he said. ”Good night, Hickson. I'm dead tired, so you won't mind my going to bed. Oh, and I'm off to-morrow, so I shan't see you again. Good-by.”
”Are you going home?” Hickson asked. But Max maintained a certain vagueness as to his plans, which Hickson, having accomplished his purpose, did not notice. He was very much pleased with the results of his diplomacy. No one could say a word against Christine now. It wasn't her fault if the engagement was broken. Riatt was a n.o.ble fellow--only, the n.o.blest sometimes forgot these simple, practical details.
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