Augustus was too ill to get up next morning. It was raining again, and, by common consent, our guests left by mid-day trains.
Sir Samuel Wakely said, with gruff kind-heartedness, when I appeared at breakfast:
"I have seen Wilks, and he says there is very little chance of its clearing for us to shoot to-day, so I think Lady Wakely and I will be starting home before luncheon-time. With your husband ill, I am sure you would be glad to be relieved of visitors."
Lady Wakely also expressed her regret at leaving, and said a number of kind things with perfect tact.
The good taste of some of the rest of the party was not so apparent.
Mrs. Broun gushed open sympathy and had to be snubbed; Miss Springle giggled, while Mrs. Dodd muttered a number of disagreeable things, and the other women remained in shocked silence.
The men were awkward and uncomfortable, too. Altogether it was a morning that is unpleasant to remember. Antony was the only person unmoved and exactly the same as usual. It steadied my nerves to look at him.
I had not seen Augustus, as I had come straight from a room near McGreggor"s, where I had spent the night. As I was leaving the dining-room I went towards the staircase, but Antony stopped me.
"Do not go up," he said. "Leave him to himself. The doctor is with him, and when he has completely recovered he will probably be penitent. He has only just escaped delirium tremens, and will most likely be in bed for a day or two. Promise me that you will not go near his room or I will stay and look after you myself."
Oh, the kindness in his voice!
"Yes, I promise," I said, meekly.
"Then I will say good-bye, Comtesse, until we meet at Dane Mount on the 4th of November."
"Good-bye," I faltered, and we shook hands calmly before the rest of the company standing about the hall.
But when the tuff-tuff-tuff of his automobile subsided in the distance, I felt as if all things were dead.
The evening post brought an invitation from the Duke of Myrlshire, asking us to go and stay with him for a small shoot on the 30th of October.
Augustus sent for me.
As I had promised, I had not been near him until this moment.
He was still in bed, and looked ill and unshaven. He was reading his letters, and glanced up at me with heavy, bloodshot eyes.
"Just got a line from Myrlshire," he said, pompously, without a trace of shame or regret in his voice.
"He says he has written to you, too; he wants me to shoot on the 30th."
I remained silent. I did not mean to irritate him, but the whole scene made me numb with disgust.
"Why the devil don"t you answer?" Augustus raged, his face flushing darkly. "Write at once and say we shall be delighted to accept."
"You are engaged to shoot with Mr. Dodd for that date," I informed him.
Mr. Dodd was sent to perdition, and Mrs. Dodd, too, and then he said, more quietly:
"Sit down now and write to the Duke. I would not miss this for anything."
I did not stir from where I stood.
"Listen, Augustus," I said. "I will not visit with you anywhere, and I will let every one know the reason, unless you swear, by whatever you hold sacred, that you will never utterly disgrace yourself again as you did last night. When you have decided to make this oath you can let me know." And I left the room, leaving the air behind me thick with curses.
I had one of the most distant spare rooms prepared for myself, and when I was going to bed a note came to me.
"I swear," it ran. "Only come back to me. I want to kiss you good-night."
"Tell Mr. Gurrage I will see him in the morning," I said to Atkinson, and I locked my door.
XI
Augustus was not able to leave his room for four or five days after this. I left him almost entirely to himself, only going to see him once a day, to hear if he required anything.
At the end of the time his penitence was complete, and he promised me to change his ways for the future. He was horribly affectionate to me, but peace was restored.
I cannot say that I felt any happier, but it seemed a lull and calm after a storm. I tried to be more gentle and sympathetic to him and to take more interest in the house.
And so, at last, the 30th arrived, and our visit to Myrlton Castle.
We had to pa.s.s through London on our way there, and Augustus left me for an hour or two, while he went to his tailor"s, he said.
I had no money to shop with. I had spent all my first quarter"s allowance on books and a late wedding-present to Hephzibah, and I foolishly could not bring myself to ask Augustus for more.
So I sat in the hotel hall after lunch and watched the people pa.s.sing by.
What had seemed a great sum of money to me in my days of poverty now appeared a very meagre allowance, as I had begun to realize what things cost. In making the settlement I had not been consulted.
Grandmamma and the Marquis had arranged matters with my future husband, and I remember her words: "We have only been able to secure for your personal use a very mediocre sum, but your jointure in case of widowhood is quite magnificent."
Augustus had promised her I should have everything I wanted in the world--"as much money as she likes to ask for, once she is my wife."
It was the "asking for" that kept me penniless. I would not be so foolish as to spend it all at once the next time it came in. Meanwhile the knowledge that a sovereign or two is all one possesses in one"s pocket has a depressing effect upon the spirits.
"Run up what bills you like for your clothes," Augustus has often said to me. "I don"t care, as long as they show the money that has been put into them and you make a good dash."
So I sat on the sofa in the hotel hall musing all by myself.
Suddenly a desire came over me to take Augustus at his word. I, too, would go to my tailor"s.
I do not know London very well; but Lady Tilchester had given me the address of the latest and most fashionable dressmaker, and I got into a hansom and drove there.
The garments were pretty, and I ordered several tea-gowns and things they had ready, and, as I was leaving, gave Augustus"s name and address for the account to be sent to. He should receive the bill, as he wished.
I spoke distinctly, and perhaps more loudly than usual, as I find shop-people so stupid with names. A young _vendeuse_, who heard me as she entered the room, now came up.
"Oh, this is Madam Henriette"s order, Madam Green," she said to the elder woman who had been attending upon me. "Madam Henriette is engaged just now"--and she turned to me--"but she asked me to tell your ladyship if you should call again to-day that the things will be sent off to-night to join you at Myrlton Castle as you wished. Mr.
Gurrage has just been in and left a message that he was sorry to miss your ladyship, but would be at the station." Then, struck by some look in my face, she said, "The Viscountess Grenellen, is it not?"