As was his custom when nervous, the Major's fingers sought his moustache.
"Oh, Mrs. Purcell," he said, with a desperate effort to appear at his ease, "what does she want?"
"To see you--and Carson, if you can bring him."
"Nothing to do with Carson now--better ask his wife 'bout him. As to m'self, no time to hang round old woman--leavin' town."
"Mrs. Purcell will be very sorry," said Laurence, smoothly. "Are you going abroad?"
"Don't know; depends. What makes you think so?"
"Well, I fancied perhaps you might be anxious to join Carson."
"Join Carson?" He stopped short and paled a trifle. "What do y' mean? Carson's on his honeymoon."
"Oh no, he isn't," retorted Mallow. "Carson's honeymoon is at an end; has been for two weeks or more. He is in Italy now."
"In Italy? Damme, how d'you know that?"