They turned back towards the others. The explanation between Lord Felixstowe and his sister’s quondam fiancé had been delayed by the intervention of the Captain, who had paused on his daily promenade to say a few words. Felixstowe was just then, however, undertaking his obvious duty.
“Seems to me, young fellow,” he said, addressing Penhaven, “that a few words of explanation are due between us two.”
“You needn’t come the heavy brother,” the latter replied. “Your sister and I broke our engagement mutually, some time ago. I can assure you, and she will tell you the same, that her feelings towards me have changed far more completely even than mine towards her.”
“Well, I’m jiggered!” Lord Felixstowe exclaimed.
“Where did you and Captain Penhaven meet?” Jacob asked miserably.
“I used to go in, as you know, and play Lady Mary’s accompaniments,” Sybil explained. “Captain Penhaven was often there and used to take me home sometimes. From my own observation,” she went on, “I can confirm what Maurice has just said about the relations between Lady Mary and himself. For some reason or other she became absolutely indifferent to him about that time.”
“So, according to you two, nobody’s got a grievance,” Felixstowe observed. “If my new employer’s satisfied—well, I suppose that’s an end of it.”
“Your what?” Sybil demanded.
The young man waved his hand genially towards Jacob.