Part 19 (1/2)
”Then stay where you are and be d.a.m.ned,” retorted Marmaduke, turning on his heel and walking toward the house. In the hall he met a maid carrying an empty champagne bottle and goblet.
”Missis is looking for you, sir,” said the maid.
”All right,” said Marmaduke, ”I have seen her. Listen to me. I am going to the country. My man Mason will come here to-day to pack up my traps, and bring them after me. You had better take a note of my address from the card in the strap of my valise.”
”Yes, sir,” said the maid. ”Any message for missis?”
”No,” said Marmaduke. He then changed his coat and hat, and went out again. As he approached the gate he met Susanna, who had risen and was walking toward the house.
”I am going to Carbury,” he said. ”I dont know when I shall be back.”
She pa.s.sed on disdainfully, as if she had not heard him.
CHAPTER VI
Three days later Lord Carbury came to luncheon with a letter in his hand. Marian had not yet come in; and the Rev. George was absent, his place being filled by Marmaduke.
”Good news for you and Constance, mother.”
”Indeed?” said the Countess, smiling.
”Yes. Conolly is coming down this afternoon to collect his traps and leave you forever.”
”Really, Jasper, you exaggerate Mr. Conolly's importance. Intelligence of his movements can hardly be news--good or bad--either to me or to Constance.”
”I am glad he is going,” said Constance, ”for Jasper's sake.”
”Thank you,” replied Jasper. ”I thought you would be. He will be a great loss to me.”
”Nonsense!” said the Countess. ”If another workman is needed, another can easily be had.”
”If I can be of any a.s.sistance to you, old man,” said Marmaduke, ”make what use of me you like. I picked up something about the business yesterday.”
”Yes,” said Elinor. ”While you were away, Jasper, he went to the laboratory with Constance, and fired off a bra.s.s cannon with your new pile until he had used up all the gunpowder and spoiled the panels of the door. That is what he calls picking up something about the business.”
”Nothing like experiment for convincing you of the power of electricity,” said Marmaduke. ”Is there, Conny?”
”It's very wonderful; but I hate shots.”
”Where is Marian?” said Lady Carbury.
”I left her in the summer-house in the fruit garden,” said Elinor. ”She was reading.”
”She must have forgotten the hour,” said the Countess. ”She has been moping, I think, for the last few days. I hope she is not unwell. But she would never stay away from luncheon intentionally. I shall send for her.”
”I'll go,” said Marmaduke, eagerly.
”No, no, Duke. You must not leave the table. I will send a servant.”