Part 32 (1/2)
”Here, by your side, dearest,” a voice added, finis.h.i.+ng the sentence.
Starting, she turned, to find to her dismay and embarra.s.sment that Hugh had returned unnoticed, and was standing at her elbow.
”Why, you really frightened me,” she said nervously, with a forced, harsh laugh. ”I was explaining to the Count the reason I prefer living in England after our marriage. He says we ought to live in Paris.”
”Oh,” Hugh said indifferently, but made no further remark.
Mademoiselle and her companion were serious and apprehensive lest he had overheard their conversation.
Crossing the Place, they continued their walk in silence.
As they entered the hotel a letter from Egerton was handed to Hugh.
When alone in his room he opened it, and found it was dated from London, and that it had been forwarded from Brussels.
”I suppose you are enjoying yourself thoroughly in the company of _la belle_ Valerie,” he wrote, after the usual greetings, and upbraidings for not answering a former note. ”Well, you know my sentiments,” he continued; ”I need not repeat them. But, by the way, I have since thought that is perhaps because I once spoke harshly of her that you have been annoyed. I only had your welfare at heart, I a.s.sure you, and, as we are old friends, if I have said anything to vex you, pray forgive me.”
”Bos.h.!.+” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Hugh savagely. ”He tries to set me against her because he wants her himself. He gives no reason for his absurd warnings, but acts the sentimental fool.”
He was about to toss the letter into the fire impatiently without reading further, when a name caught his eye.
The remainder of the letter was as follows:--
_I am in sore trouble, and want your advice. Dolly has mysteriously disappeared. One night, three weeks ago, she left the studio and went home. After dressing she again went out, and since then nothing has been seen or heard of her. I have searched everywhere, and made strenuous efforts through the police and by advertis.e.m.e.nts to find some trace of her, but all seems futile. She has disappeared completely.
Yet somehow I cannot think her silence is intentional, or that she has run away with some male companion, for she was not addicted to flirtation. You are one of her admirers, I know, so I want your advice as to the best course to pursue. I'm at my wits' ends, old fellow.
Write and tell me what to do. I must find her; I shall never rest until I ascertain definitely what has become of her_.
”Good heavens! What an extraordinary thing,” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Trethowen, when he had concluded reading.
”Dolly missing! She might be dead for aught we know; yet such a fate cannot have befallen her. She cared for me a little, I know,” he soliloquised. ”Perhaps she had hoped that I should ask her to become my wife. Why,” he gasped, as a thought suddenly occurred to him, ”suppose she has committed suicide because I did not reciprocate the love she offered. Good G.o.d! if such were the case, I should never forgive myself--never.”
Pausing, he gazed blankly at the paper in his hand.
”Yet--yet, after all,” he continued thoughtfully, ”I love Valerie, and shall marry no woman but her. There can be no reason why I should be miserable or bother my head over the mystery.”
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
PURELY FIN DE SIECLE.
”Why are you so glum this morning, Jack? Hang it, you look as if you were going to attend my funeral instead of my wedding.”
”Do I?” asked Egerton, yawning, and stretching himself out lazily in his chair. ”I didn't know my facial expression was not in keeping with the joyousness of the occasion.”
”Look here, old fellow,” continued Hugh, walking over to his companion, and looking him earnestly in the face. ”Now, before we start, tell me why you are so strangely indifferent. It seems as if you still entertain some curious antipathy towards Valerie.” Egerton knit his brows, and, rising, a.s.sumed an air of utter unconcern.
”It's a matter I would rather not discuss, old chap,” he said. ”At your request I've consented to a.s.sist at your wedding, otherwise I should not have been here at all.”
”Your very words betray you. Why should you have been absent, pray?”
”For certain reasons,” the other replied briefly. Trethowen regarded his friend with surprise, not unmingled with annoyance.