‘Well, I had been thinking,’ said the Admiral. ‘You see he did not get it, and though I could commit him for endeavouring to obtain money on false pretences, I very much doubt whether the prosecution would not be worse for you than for him.’
‘That is very kind of you, Admiral!’ exclaimed the mother. ‘It would be terribly awkward for dear Arthurine to stand up and say he cajoled her into giving her autograph. It might always be remembered against her!’
‘Exactly so,’ said the Admiral; ‘and perhaps there may be another reason for not pushing the matter to extremity. The man is a stranger here, I believe.’
‘He has been staying at Bonchamp,’ said Mrs. Arthuret. ‘It was young Mr. Mytton who brought him over this afternoon.’
‘Just so. And how did he come to be aware that Mrs. Rudden owed you any money?’
There was a pause, then Arthurine broke out—
‘Oh, Daisy and Pansy can’t have done anything; but they were all three there helping me mark the tennis-courts when the message came.’
‘Including the brother?’
‘Yes.’
‘He is a bad fellow, and I would not wish to shield him in any way, but that such a plot should be proved against him would be a grievous disgrace to the family.’