Part 41 (1/2)
”My lawyers know absolutely nothing about it, and as your father must not suspect you heard the conversation, you will scarcely ask him. I have some letters to write, memoranda to arrange for Martin, and several telegrams to send immediately. Our train starts at two A.M., and you can get a sound sleep, which you sadly need. I ordered your dinner sent here. Do you wish your trunk?”
She shook her head.
”Try to get a good rest. You will be called in time for the train. I have papers to prepare that will keep me busy until then. Eglah--poor little girl--”
She looked up at him defiantly, but the peculiar expression in his brilliant eyes she could not understand.
He caught his mustache between his teeth, picked up the tin box, and left her.
CHAPTER XXII
The weather had changed. After rain a keen north wind curled the waters of the great lake into wreaths of foam, breaking against the terrace, and the old Scotch clock in the lower hall struck midnight as Mr.
Herriott's carriage drew up before the open door of his house. When he stepped to the ground a wild uproar of rejoicing dogs greeted him, and it was some seconds before he could rid himself of caressing paws. He a.s.sisted Eglah out, and turning toward the light met Amos Lea.
”Why, old man! It was kind of you to sit up for us. You should be asleep in your bed. Here is Mrs. Herriott. You saw her one summer.”
The gardener held out his rough, hard hand, and she laid hers in it.
”Welcome home, madam. I hope you will be good to the lad; he will always do right by you.”
Mr. Herriott laughed as he led her up the stone steps.
”Amos, you can not lecture her as you do me.”
The housekeeper and one of the maids came forward for wraps and satchels.
”Mrs. Orr, Mrs. Herriott is very tired. Did you receive my telegram from Carville?”
”Yes, sir; the blue room is in order; bath, fire, supper, everything all ready.”
Drawing Eglah's arm through his, he ascended the wide oak staircase, saying:
”I had it papered and arranged especially for you that summer you came for a few days, and since then no one has been allowed to occupy it.”
At the landing he called over the railing:
”Mrs. Orr, as it will be late when the trunks come, do not send up Mrs.
Herriott's until morning. She needs rest, and I do not wish her disturbed before she rings her bell.”
On a table drawn near the fire in the ”blue room” a decanter and gla.s.ses glittered in the glow from an open hearth. Mr. Herriott poured out some Tokay.
”I am sorry I could not make your home-coming less dismal; but for you the worst is over, and, if you please, we will not refer to it again.
To-morrow I shall be engaged with two committees, one relating to a scientific scholars.h.i.+p I wish to establish, and my time is so limited I can be with you very little. The necessity for going via New York, where I must stop, shortens my stay here; and I am compelled to allow some margin for delay _en route_ from Boston to Sydney, where the vessel is due on the fifteenth. This is not exactly a 'loving-cup,' but you must join me.”
He touched her gla.s.s with his, and a deep undercurrent of suppressed emotion surged through the quietly spoken words.