‘Ostensibly to finish a long conversation or conference with papa, but really and truthfully, I suspect, to meet Mademoiselle Kostalergi, whose absence has piqued him.’
‘Yes, piqued is the word. It is the extreme of the pain he is capable of feeling. What has he said of it?’
‘Nothing beyond the polite regrets that courtesy could express, and then adverted to something else.’
‘With an abruptness that betrayed preparation?’
‘Perhaps so.’
‘Not perhaps, but certainly so. Vanity such as his has no variety. It repeats its moods over and over; but why do we talk of him? I have other things to tell you of. You know that man who came here with Dick. That Mr. ——’
‘I know—I know,’ cried the other hurriedly, ‘what of him?’
‘He joined me this morning, on my way through the bog, and drove with me to Cruhan.’
‘Indeed!’ muttered Kate thoughtfully.
‘A strange, wayward, impulsive sort of creature—unlike any one—interesting from his strong convictions—’