Was that enough? She watched his knitted brows; he was recalling the letter. He wasted no time in abusing the servant who had betrayed him; he had no preoccupation except to recollect that letter. Mrs. Bonfill drank her tea while he stood motionless in the middle of the room.
When he spoke again his voice sounded rather hollow and hoarse.
'Well, what do they want of me?' he asked.
Mrs. Bonfill knew that she saw before her a beaten man. All pleasure had gone from her now; the scene was purely painful; she had liked and helped the man. But she had her message to deliver, even as it had come to her. He must resign in three days—or article, letter, and Alured Cummins! That was the alternative she had to put before him.
'You've too many irons in the fire, Beaufort,' said she with a shake of her head and a friendly smile. 'One thing clashes with another.'
He dropped into a chair, and sat looking before him moodily.
'There'll be plenty left. You'll have your seat still; and you'll be free to give all your time to business and make a career there.'
Still he said nothing. She forced herself to go on.
'It should be done at once. We all think so. Then it'll have an entirely voluntary look.'
Still he was mute.