Colonel Tallboys shaved twice a day, and was carefully operating with a new safety razor, when he heard a hurried thump on the door of his dressing-room, and Geoffrey entered, with a coat on his arm, and a cap in his hand.
"I say," he began abruptly, "I've just got a wire, my marching orders,—and I'm off at last!"
Colonel Tallboys stood transfixed, razor in hand; one half his face white, the other pink. If the matter had not been so desperately serious, Geoffrey would have laughed at the spectacle.
"Don't be vexed," he urged anxiously, "don't take it so hardly. I expect I'll get through in a week or two and——"
His cousin at last found breath and voice.
"I take it hardly—damned hardly," he burst out in a high shaky key. "It means your ruin! thanks to your infernal pig-headed obstinacy. Of course if you are mad, you are your own master—I can't stop you. Here," stirred by a sudden access of fury, he rushed to the door, and wrenched it open, "Go—go! I never want to see you, or hear of you, again!"
Completely taken aback, Geoffrey stared incredulously at his furious relative, then walked blindly out of the room, and sought his cousin Fanny.
"I'm going," he said, "the telegram is urgent, and I'm just off, I'll write, of course. Wish me luck, and God bless you, Fan."
For a moment Mrs. Tallboys surveyed him with amazement. Then she put her hand on his shoulder, and tears stood in her eyes.
"So the sword has fallen at last! Oh, Geoffrey, do be careful,—do be prudent. You have told Fred. I heard his voice just now—I'm afraid he is vexed."