“If you don’t keep her quiet—” he said.
“Lucian, protect me!” wailed Sheila.
“I—I—I—” began Robinson.
With one glance at him, Mandeville turned away. Only one glance—but it might better have been a blow.
VII
Elaine Milner was sitting on the veranda again, the next afternoon, all ready with an astounding piece of news. A station taxi came up the drive, and out stepped Mandeville Ryder.
“Oh, Mandy!” she cried, when her attention was diverted by the arrival of a second taxi, from which descended her Uncle Lucian.
“For Heaven’s sake!” thought she. “Separate taxis—and they’re not even speaking to each other!”
Before she had recovered herself, both men had gone into the house. Robinson went to his wife’s room, where she was not. Mandeville went to Mrs. Milner’s boudoir, where she was. He knocked on the door.
“Come in!” called his two sisters, and in he went.