Part 46 (1/2)
CHAPTER x.x.xV
CHRISTMAS EVE
Mrs. Seton Carr seemed in no hurry to withdraw herself from the author's tightly clasping arms. Seriously, it was really very disgraceful behaviour of hers. She excused herself with the knowledge that there was no audience: save the moon and the sea. After subsidence of her laugh she said:
”I have said good-bye for ever to the Chantrelles. They have left Ivy Cottage. I shall never see them again----”
”I thought----”
”I loved him?” she interrupted gleefully. ”I didn't--I just hated him----”
”Yet you----”
”Pretended I did because I wanted to annoy you! There! I wanted to annoy you because--I.... Don't, Prince Charlie! You're making me look so untidy.... Yes do--I don't mind.... They'll think it was the wind.”
Thoughts of other people and of dinner came to them at last. But it was half-past seven before they started to walk back home. What they said during all the time they were on the seat is a matter of concern to themselves only.
Besides which, when people are in love, their conversation is not remarkable for originality and general interest. Even authors get out of the stirrups--off their high horse--and talk like other people.
She explained to him that she had loved him from the first. He, wondering how he could have been blind to the fact, hugged her close again. Thereupon, she complained that he hurt her, and then contradicted herself; in fact behaved like a true woman.
She confessed why she had not told him she was Mrs. Seton-Carr at first: because she was a leader of London fas.h.i.+on, and she knew he hated London Society and everything connected therewith. The newspaper people chronicled her movements and she was much talked about; she had thought he would not fail to recognize her name.
But she need not have feared; he would not have done so. Fas.h.i.+onable Intelligence, and all columns captioned in kindred fas.h.i.+on, he never read. Had an idea of his own that in the study of mankind his society papers were not very suitable textbooks.
It would naturally be supposed that seeing how late it was they would have hurried home. Not they! It was nearly eight o'clock when they reached Ivy Cottage. d.i.c.k was waiting for them.
”This is a pretty idea, upon my soul!” His greeting. ”A nice way to treat your brother! Dinner has been waiting hours!”
”Never mind, d.i.c.k dear,” replied his sister, pecking at his lips as she removed the pins from her hat. ”It doesn't matter, it really doesn't matter in the least.”
”Doesn't it! It matters to me! Am I supposed to be a fasting man, giving a seaside exhibition of myself? There's been no midday meal, because I had to bolt whilst you were turning people out of the house neck and crop. I did think I was going to get some dinner! I don't even get an apology. You're flouncing around grinning all over your face as if you'd picked up sixpence. What have you been doing?”
”There--sit down--like a good boy. Here's the soup coming. Now start and try to make up for lost time.”
She ran to her room and threw off her hat and mantle. Laughed at her reflection in the gla.s.s--a laugh inspired by sheer happiness. Then she crept softly into Gracie's room; the child was not yet asleep, though sleepy. Bending over the cot she kissed the little rosy face, and Gracie's arms went up and around the neck of her Dear Miss Mivvins.
Mrs. Seton-Carr had not been away from the dining room more than two minutes; when she returned to take her place at table mischievous d.i.c.k was ready waiting for her, said:
”What I want to know is, what the deuce you two have been sitting out on that blessed seat all night for? Why couldn't you come in like rational beings and sit in chairs and talk?”
”Never you mind, d.i.c.k; don't ask questions. Have some more soup?”
”Oh, you can't stop my mouth with soup! I have been kept without food for so long that I'm afraid to eat much! I expect it was some of that tommy-rot Prince Charlie was always flooding my ears with. About your eyes and hair and----”
”Now, d.i.c.k,” interrupted Masters, ”drop that please. It is a forbidden subject.”
”Is it? I am not to talk about what you said?” He turned to his sister and continued: ”What have you had to say then, Sis? Been telling him how you begged and prayed of me not to let him----”