"Where, I say, is Lady Harcourt? Let us have no juggling, if you please. You will find that I am in earnest."
"I am not Lady Harcourt's keeper," said George, in a very low tone of voice.
"No, by G——! Nor shall you be. Where is she? If you do not answer my question, I shall have recourse to the police at once."
Sir Lionel, meaning to make things pleasant, now got up, and went over to his son. He did not know on what footing, with reference to each other, his son and Lady Harcourt now stood; but he did know that they had loved each other, and been betrothed for years; he did know, also, that she had left her husband, and that that husband and his son had been the closest friends. It was a great opportunity for him to make things pleasant. He had not the slightest scruple as to sacrificing that "dear Caroline" whom he had so loved as his future daughter-in-law.
"George," said he, "if you know where Lady Harcourt is, it will be better that you should tell Sir Henry. No properly-thinking man will countenance a wife in disobeying her husband."
"Father," said George, "Lady Harcourt is not in my custody. She is the judge of her own actions in this matter."
"Is she?" said Sir Henry. "She must learn to know that she is not; and that very shortly. Do you mean to tell me where she is?"
"I mean to tell you nothing about her, Sir Henry."
"George, you are wrong," said Sir Lionel. "If you know where Lady Harcourt is, you are bound to tell him. I really think you are."
"I am bound to tell him nothing, father; nor will I. I will have no conversation with him about his wife. It is his affair and hers—and that, perhaps, of a hundred other people; but it certainly is not mine. Nor will I make it so."