In his imagination he could hear again the break of the waves on the wet beach mingling with the musical hum of the car, and he could feel once again that sense of delight, almost of possessive delight, as he had looked back ever and anon and had met the smile of Camilla's sweet eyes and pensive lips.
She seemed to be cut away from him altogether by this darkness and heavy atmosphere.
The yellow gloom fell like a pall on all that was bright and beautiful and desirable.
He longed to go back to the country; above all, he longed to see her again, and quickly.
CHAPTER III
When he reached his mother's house in Kensington, Rupert Haverford was met with the information that Mrs. Baynhurst had left town the preceding day.
The house was all shut up, and the servant who opened the door to him wore no apron or cap.
He passed into the hall thoroughly vexed.
Of course by this time he ought to have been well prepared for any startling move on the part of his mother, who never by any chance did those things that were expected of her, or, indeed, anything that she had announced she intended doing.