Part 36 (1/2)

Justine was silent. Mrs. Ansell's momentary self-betrayal had checked all farther possibility of frank communion, and the discerning lady had seen her error too late to remedy it.

But her hearer's heart gave a leap of joy. It was clear from what Mrs.

Ansell said that Amherst had not bound himself definitely, since he would not have done so without informing his wife. And with a secret thrill of happiness Justine recalled his last word to her: ”I will remember all you have said.”

He had kept that word and acted on it; in spite of Bessy's last a.s.sault on his pride he had borne with her, and deferred the day of final rupture; and the sense that she had had a part in his decision filled Justine with a glow of hope. The consciousness of Mrs. Ansell's suspicions faded to insignificance--Mrs. Ansell and her kind might think what they chose, since all that mattered now was that she herself should act bravely and circ.u.mspectly in her last attempt to save her friends.

”I am not sure,” Mrs. Ansell continued, gently scrutinizing her companion, ”that I think it unwise of him to have gone; but if he stays too long Bessy may listen to bad advice--advice disastrous to her happiness.” She paused, and turned her eyes meditatively toward the fire. ”As far as I know,” she said, with the same air of serious candour, ”you are the only person who can tell him this.”

”I?” exclaimed Justine, with a leap of colour to her pale cheeks.

Mrs. Ansell's eyes continued to avoid her. ”My dear Miss Brent, Bessy has told me something of the wise counsels you have given her. Mr.

Amherst is also your friend. As I said just now, you are the only person who might act as a link between them--surely you will not renounce the role.”

Justine controlled herself. ”My only role, as you call it, has been to urge Bessy to--to try to allow for her husband's views----”

”And have you not given the same advice to Mr. Amherst?”

The eyes of the two women met. ”Yes,” said Justine, after a moment.

”Then why refuse your help now? The moment is crucial.”

Justine's thoughts had flown beyond the stage of resenting Mrs. Ansell's gentle pertinacity. All her faculties were absorbed in the question as to how she could most effectually use whatever influence she possessed.

”I put it to you as one old friend to another--will you write to Mr.

Amherst to come back?” Mrs. Ansell urged her.

Justine was past considering even the strangeness of this request, and its oblique reflection on the kind of power ascribed to her. Through the confused beatings of her heart she merely struggled for a clearer sense of guidance.

”No,” she said slowly. ”I cannot.”

”You cannot? With a friend's happiness in extremity?” Mrs. Ansell paused a moment before she added. ”Unless you believe that Bessy would be happier divorced?”

”Divorced--? Oh, no,” Justine shuddered.

”That is what it will come to.”

”No, no! In time----”

”Time is what I am most afraid of, when Blanche Carbury disposes of it.”

Justine breathed a deep sigh.

”You'll write?” Mrs. Ansell murmured, laying a soft touch on her hand.

”I have not the influence you think----”

”Can you do any harm by trying?”

”I might--” Justine faltered, losing her exact sense of the words she used.