"Yes; when it begins to get a bit—er—dull, and we are bored—we will say ta-ta; that's all!"
"All?" ejaculated his visitor.
"Well—I say, hang it, Malcolm! A fellow must have some amusement!"
"Play to you, and death to her—reputation."
"Oh, Dom will take good right care of that—I tell you——"
"And I tell you that if you play fast and loose with Dom she is just the sort of girl that would—kill you!"
"Oh, Lord! here we have a five-act tragedy in two lines! A tragedy generally makes me howl with laughter. Well, now I must go in, and shave and dress. I say, if you like, I'll drive you round by Manora this afternoon. It's a pretty sort of settlement—lots of trees and greenery—on the river side. We won't stop, but I will point you out the roof which shelters the Misses Chandos—your lady love, and mine!"
And tossing the end of his cigarette into a bush, he called for his boy, and disappeared indoors.
CHAPTER XXX
That same Sunday afternoon Mrs. Chandos, having recovered from her "seizure" went out into the front garden in order to "eat the air" in solitude. The Trotters were also abroad, but she turned her back upon them, and walked down the little drive and gazed along the road with an expression of grim resentment. But what was this which she beheld speeding towards her? A grey stepping horse, a dog-cart, and two gentlemen—and at what a pace they came! Indeed, they were all but past before the driver discovered her, and pulled the grey on his haunches.