“Have you gentlemen anything else to ask Lady Violet before she goes?”
My chief passed on the question to me by a nod. His own expression was one of pity. I caught at the opportunity.
“Nothing for the moment, but I presume your lordship will be willing to let us have Lady Violet’s new address if we should want it later on.”
It was the first time I had spoken since Lord Ledbury came into the room, and he glared at me as though resenting my presumption.
“Lady Violet is of age,” he said shortly. “I have just been reminded of that. She is her own mistress; you had better ask her.”
Violet slowly turned and faced me. I threw all I dared of longing and pleading for forgiveness into the look I gave her. The despair in her eyes found a dull echo in her tone.
“I will send you my address as soon as I know it. But it will make no difference. I....”
Her voice choked. The next moment the door had closed on her.
And now Tarleton proceeded to astonish me. I think he astonished the Earl of Ledbury as well.
“My lord,” he said in a tone of deep gravity, “it is clear to me that you have no idea of the danger in which your daughter stands.”