Part 30 (1/2)

Falloden's expression stiffened.

”That's nonsense. If he's properly treated, he'll get all right. Besides it was a pure accident. How could any of us know those broken pipes were there?”

”Well, I shall be glad when we get Wood's opinion,” said Meyrick gloomily. ”It does seem hard lines on a fellow who plays that it should have been his hand. But of course--as you say, Duggy--it'll probably be all right. By the way, Sorell told me Radowitz had absolutely refused to let anybody in college know--any of the dons--and had forbidden Sorell himself to say a word.”

”Well of course that's more damaging to us than any other line of action,” said Falloden drily. ”I don't know that I shall accept it--for myself. The facts had better be known.”

”Well, you'd better think of the rest of us,” said Meyrick. ”It would hit Robertson uncommonly hard if he were sent down. If Radowitz is badly hurt, and the story gets out, they won't play him for the Eleven--”

”If he's badly hurt, it will get out,” said Falloden coolly.

”Well, let it alone, anyway, till we see.”

Falloden nodded--”Barring a private friend or two. Well, I must dress.”

When he opened the door again, Meyrick was gone.

In an unbearable fit of restlessness, Falloden went out, pa.s.sed Marmion, looked into the quad which was absolutely silent and deserted, and found his way aimlessly to the Parks.

He must see Constance Bledlow, somehow, before the story reached her from other sources, and before everybody separated for the vac. A large Nuneham party had been arranged by the Mansons for the following day in honour of the ex-Amba.s.sador and his wife, who were prolonging their stay in Christ Church so as to enjoy the river and an Oxford without crowds or functions. Falloden was invited, and he knew that Constance had been asked. In his bitterness of the day before, after their quarrel in the wood, he had said to himself that he would certainly go down before the party. Now he thought he would stay.

Suddenly, as he was walking back along the Cherwell edge of the park, under a grey sky with threatening clouds, he became aware of a lady in front of him. Annoying or remorseful thought became in a moment excitement. It was impossible to mistake the springing step and tall slenderness of Constance Bledlow.

He rapidly weighed the pros and cons of overtaking her. It was most unlikely that she had yet heard of the accident. And yet she might have seen Sorell.

He made up his mind and quickened his pace. She heard the steps behind her and involuntarily looked round. He saw, with a pa.s.sionate delight, that she could not immediately hide the agitation with which she recognised him.

”Whither away?” he said as he took off his hat. ”Were you up as late as I? And are b.a.l.l.s worth their headaches?”

She was clearly surprised by the ease and gaiety of his manner, and at the same time--he thought--inclined to resent his interruption of her walk, before she had made up her mind in what mood, or with what aspect to meet him next. But he gave her no time for further pondering. He walked beside her, while she coldly explained that she had taken Nora to meet some girl friends at the Cherwell boat-house, and was now hurrying back herself to pay some calls with her aunt in the afternoon.

”What a week you have had!” he said when she paused. ”Is there anything left of you? I saw that you stayed very late last night.”

She admitted it.

”As for me, of course, I thought the ball--intolerable. But that of course you know--you must know!” he added with a sudden vehement emphasis. ”May I not even say that you intended it? You meant to scourge me, and you succeeded.”

Constance laughed, though he perceived that her lip trembled a little.

”The scourging had, I think--compensations.”

”You mean I took refuge with Mrs. Glendower? Yes, she was kind--and useful. She is an old friend--more of the family than mine. She is coming to stay at Flood in August.”

”Indeed?” The tone was as cool as his own. There was a moment's pause.

Then Falloden turned another face upon her.

”Lady Constance!--I have something rather serious and painful to tell you--and I am glad of this opportunity to tell you before you hear it from any one else. There was a row in college last night, or rather this morning, after the ball, and Otto Radowitz was hurt.”

The colour rushed into Connie's face. She stopped. All around them the park stretched, grey and empty. There was no one in sight on the path where they had met.

”But not seriously,” she breathed.