"I do not laugh at you, my boy," said Kent-Lauriston. "I respect you for it, I believe you, too; but, as I said in our first interview on this subject, you"re too good for her; and she has underrated what she is not fitted to understand."
"There, go now," said the Secretary. "If I talk of this any more, I shall be unnerved, and I"ve need of all my self-control to-day. Go and do the best you can. Be gentle and tender for my sake. I suppose I ought to face the matter myself, but I can"t bear to. I simply can"t look her in the face--now I know----" and he bent his head, choking back a sob.
His friend pressed his hand silently, and left the room.
"Just one moment, if you please, Colonel Darcy," Kent-Lauriston had said, overtaking that officer as he was crossing the park, about an hour after his interview with Stanley.
"I can"t stop just now, I"m in a hurry."
"Oh, yes, you can--you can spare me a minute--a minute for an old acquaintance, who knew you when you were only a Lieutenant, like our friend Kingsland; a Lieutenant in Derbyshire, who had aspirations for the hand of Lord ----"s daughter."
"Which you frustrated, d.a.m.n you! I haven"t forgotten."
"Or the evidence which led to such an unfortunate result? Affairs of that sort are not outlawed by the lapse of years; you understand?"
"What do you want of me? Speak! My time is of value."
"Yes, I know--about forty thousand pounds."
"Humph! Go on, will you. I"ll tell you what you want, only be quick about it."
"I merely want to know the exact and real truth of Miss Fitzgerald"s connection with this bribery and corruption business."
"I told your friend, the Secretary."
"I know what you _told_ him, he"s just retailed it to me; but you will pardon me, if I state that, as an observer, of human nature, I don"t believe it."
"I"ve said what I"ve said," replied the Colonel, surlily.
"Let us see if we can"t arrive at a mutual understanding," continued Kent-Lauriston, suavely. "You wish to injure the girl and make her marriage with my friend impossible, because you think she"s betrayed you. I wish to render the marriage impossible, because I don"t care to see this young man make a fool of himself by marrying a girl who"s after his money, and who has nothing to offer in return. Our ends are identical, our motives only are different. Do you follow me?"
The Colonel nodded.
"Now," resumed Kent-Lauriston, "you"ve told a very clever circ.u.mstantial story, which has ruined her in Stanley"s eyes, and has stopped the match, as we both wished. Its only flaw lies in the fact that it is not true. If he finds this out, he"ll marry her in spite of us; but he is much less likely to find it out if I know the real state of the case, and, as a corollary, the weak points of your narrative, and so am able to prevent the discovery. Do you believe me?"
"I never knew you to tell a lie--it"s not in your line."
"Quite so. Therefore, will you tell _me_ the truth?"
"The truth, then, is that Belle didn"t instigate the plot. I got her out of a sc.r.a.pe some years ago, and she was grateful, and lent me a hand with this, purely out of friendship. She doesn"t expect to get a penny in reward. It was her idea, however, of using Kingsland to forward the stuff."
"Kingsland knew nothing about it?"
"Nothing at all. He thought the chests contained stereopticon slides."
"That"s the real truth then?"
"Yes, but if you blow it to Stanley, I"ll tell him your share in this little arrangement."
Kent-Lauriston looked at him, coldly. "You said you were in a hurry, Colonel Darcy," he remarked. "Don"t let me detain you."
"I consider it providential," said the Marchioness.
Mrs. Roberts said nothing. It was this trait that rendered her so admirable as a hostess and a friend.
"Of course," continued her Ladyship, "I had long known that there was some sentiment between my dear Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland, and if I had supposed there was anything serious, they would at once have had my blessing, and--er--a wedding in St. George"s, and--everything that religion requires. Their secret marriage was childish and ridiculous--because it was not opposed."
Mrs. Roberts still held her peace.
"I say," continued the Dowager, "that it was not opposed; of course Mr.
Stanley----"
"Ah," said her hostess, seeing that she was expected to intervene: "Mr.
Stanley--what of him?"
"Well, you see, my dear Mrs. Roberts, he"s a most excellent young man; but he comes from a Catholic country--and--er--the influence is so insidious, that, on consideration, I didn"t really feel--that my duty as a mother would permit me to countenance the match further."
Mrs. Roberts said nothing, she had been ill-used in this particular, she felt, and withheld her sympathy accordingly.
The Dowager appreciated the position, and acted promptly.
"Your dear niece, Miss Fitzgerald, such a charming girl," she continued, "doubtless feels as I do. Her throwing Stanley over unreservedly was most commendable, and reflected much credit on your influence, dear Mrs.
Roberts."
Her hostess was mollified, and showed it. The Dowager"s position promised to turn defeat into triumph.
"You"re most kind, I"m sure," she murmured. "Belle was naturally guided by me," and then changing a dangerous subject, she continued, "It is so sad that Lieutenant Kingsland"s honeymoon should be darkened by his uncle"s death."
Her Ladyship dried an imaginary tear, and added:--
"If one believes in Providence, one must of course believe that these things are for the best."
"Here comes the Secretary," said Mrs. Roberts. "Does he know?"
"I must tell him," replied the Dowager. "It"s my painful duty."
Mrs. Roberts precipitately left the room.
"Dear Mr. Stanley," murmured the Dowager, "I was just on the point of sending for you; you"ve come most opportunely. I feel I must speak to you about my dear daughter. She is a sadly wilful girl, and I fear----"
"Don"t speak of it, your Ladyship. I know, that is, I"ve heard; and permit me to offer my congratulations on your daughter"s recent marriage to Lieutenant Kingsland," he said, throwing into his voice what he trusted might pa.s.s for a note of resignation.
"Dear Mr. Stanley," said the Dowager, infinitely relieved, "you are so tactful, so generous----"