Part 30 (1/2)

[Transcriber's note: page 176 was missing from source book]

... carriage without in the avenue; it stops. Our friend Morice, no doubt.”

He turned, with a sneer, to meet the expected host whom they had forestalled.

But it was not Morice Conyers who stood in the doorway, but his sister Gabrielle, her hood flung back from her dark hair, cheeks flushed, and hazel eyes defiant.

She scarcely deigned to bestow a glance at the man before her, but looked past him eagerly.

”Morice!” she cried. ”Morice!”

Then swiftly she turned to Denningham.

”Where is my brother?” she asked peremptorily.

CHAPTER XIX

AND WELCOMES A HOSTESS

Perhaps for the first time in his life Lord Denningham was taken aback.

The vision was so wholly unexpected, so welcome, and yet most unwelcome, for behind the slim, girlish figure, m.u.f.fled in its long travelling-coat, stood Michael Berrington and the young Breton, de Quernais, whom Denningham had met and strongly disapproved at that jolly hostel the Goat and Compa.s.ses.

Behind this triple apparition lurked a mystery calling for explanation.

However, at the moment, an impatient lady awaited an answer.

”Where is Morice?” she repeated, glancing from Denningham to Sir Stephen, who stood leaning against the wall laughing softly to himself in maudlin enjoyment.

”I fear, Mistress Gabrielle, that that is the question we have been asking ourselves for the last thirty-six hours.”

My lord's tones were slightly mocking, and his glance into the pretty, flushed face over-bold.

Michael made a step forward.

”Mr. Conyers is here,” he said quietly.

”Indeed, Mr. Berrington, you are vastly astute. On my honour, I am glad, however, to hear your news. Your father and I came here at Mr.

Conyers' own invitation, but at present he appears to be absent--perhaps a Breton fas.h.i.+on of treating guests.”

Lord Denningham's bow included de Quernais deftly enough in the gibe; but, to his surprise, the young Breton n.o.ble paid no heed to the sly hint.

”My brother not here?” echoed Gabrielle, in perplexity. ”But he must have been here?”

A shrug of the shoulders was her only answer.

”You appear to have doubts as to my word, Mistress. Would it not be better to apply to old grey-beard without! He will tell you that, till you came, we have been the only guests beneath this ancestral roof.”

She took no heed of his sneer, but turned instinctively to Michael.