"Not really, you stupid fellow! only in pretense. Leicester Dodson"—at that name Jem scowled—"Leicester Dodson has made formal complaint and I cannot do anything else but get rid of you. I shall blackguard you well and pack you off before all the servants. Of course you won't leave the village and equally of course I will continue you your salary to enable you to keep there. What you must do is to take a room at the inn—say you are going to enjoy yourself on the savings of your salary."
Half an hour afterward every soul in the village knew that Leicester Dodson had got Mr. Starling discharged from his situation.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE LOCKET.
It was rather a large party at Coombe Lodge.
There were the Wilsons, the Gileses and several of the county families.
Lord Lackland had been expected, but business kept him in town, and Lord Fitz was at the head of the table.
Next him was an old dowager, but within speaking distance sat Violet, and Lord Fitz's frank face was turned toward her all dinner time.
Ethel and Bertie were separated, as they had expected to be, but Bertie could see the pale, low forehead just above an epergne, and was fain to be content.