Another month slipped by, but few changes took place in Marport. As it was now rather wintry, so many people did not come down to the sea-side. Rupert and Olivia lived rather a lonely life at the Abbey, but being very much in love, this did not disturb them: in fact it was rather a pleasure. Sometimes Chris Walker and his aunt called. Lady Jabe had got over her disappointment, now that Olivia was poor, and constantly abused Miss Pewsey for taking the money. She was making the unfortunate Chris pay attentions to Lotty Dean, whose father was a grocer and had ample wealth. Things were going on nicely in this quarter, and Lady Jabe was pleased.
Clarence Burgh had left Marport and was now amusing himself in London. Sometimes he came down to see his aunt, who was getting ready for her bridal and still lived in Ivy Lodge. There, Forge intended to remove when married, as the house was rent free, and already he had given notice to Tidman as the Major told Rupert one evening. "And I'm glad he's going," said the Major, as he sat with his usual bottle of port before the fire, after dinner, "I couldn't stand seeing, that Pewsey cat in my house as Mrs. Doctor Forge."
"I wonder why he marries her?" said Rupert who was smoking on the other side of the fire place.
"Because he is frightened of her, sir. That woman for some reason makes everyone frightened of her--except me," added the Major swelling, "why even that young Burgh hardly comes to see her, though he's down here now--waiting for the wedding I suppose. It comes off next week and a nice fright that Pewsey cat will look as a bride."
Rupert laughed. Olivia had left the room and retired to bed. The Major, who had been fidgeting all the evening, looked round when alone with his host. "I want to talk to you," he said.
"What about? Haven't you been talking all the evening."
"Not on the subject nearest to my heart," said Tidman sipping his port. "I waited till Mrs. Ainsleigh went away, as I don't want to revive unpleasant memories."
"Oh," said Rupert with a shudder, "surely you are not going to talk of the murder."
"No--certainly not: but I am of the thing that caused it."
Rupert sat up quickly. "The fan. Why that's in China. Tung-yu took it, after he--"