Part 4 (2/2)
”There has been some mistake. He was not to come to us until luncheon to-day. Was M. Renaud with him?”
”Yes, Mrs. Wellington, but he did not stay. The Prince seemed to know he was not expected. He apologized profusely, but said that events had brought him here a day early and trusted there was no inconvenience.
He did not dine, but spent the evening in the smoking-room, writing.
He sent two cable despatches by Parker.”
”Um-m, _degage_, even for a Russian,” said Mrs. Wellington. ”And he arose early?”
”Very early. He asked Mr. Dawson for a car to go to the village at half after six.”
Mrs. Wellington almost revealed her intense interest.
”Ah, to the village,” she said. ”Did he say--did he explain the reasons for his early trip?”
”No, but Parker told Mr. Dawson he stopped at the telegraph office.”
”Where is the Prince now?”
”He is in the morning-room, writing.”
”Thank you, Mrs. Stetson.”
As the housekeeper left, Mrs. Wellington pressed another b.u.t.ton, summoning the superintendent.
”Mr. Dawson,” she said, ”you received my wire last night that the _Mayfair_ had broken down and that we were taking the midnight train from New York?”
”Yes, Mrs. Wellington.”
”And you thought the Prince was going to meet us with that car? That was the reason for your failure to follow my instructions?”
”Yes, madame, thank you. I supposed Prince Koltsoff knew you were coming and that he had ordered the car to meet you. When this proved wrong I sent Rimini. I am glad he was not late.”
”He was late. He met us, packed in a miserable hack. Hereafter I must insist upon strict compliance with my wishes. Do not a.s.sume things, please. Am I quite clear? Thank you.” Mrs. Wellington turned from him and pressed still another b.u.t.ton. In a moment the tutor of her two sons, Ronald, sixteen years old, and Royal, twelve, stood before her.
He was a Frenchman, whose facial expression did not indicate that his duties had fallen in the pleasantest of places.
”Good-morning, M. Dumois. Where are my sons?” She spoke in French.
”They attended a party at Bailey's Beach and remained the night with Master Van Antwerp.”
”How have they been?”
”Very well, thank you, except--”
”Except?”
”I found Master Ronald smoking a cigarette in the smoking-room yesterday.”
Mrs. Wellington dashed a note on her pad.
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