Her voice ended in a tragic wail, and it was with difficulty that she restrained her tears. Eustace never felt so awkward in his life, as he did not know what to say in excuse for having unwittingly thwarted her hopes. Sammy had clambered down off his knee, and was now contentedly covering his toys with his mother's handkerchief, while she, poor woman, was sitting looking at him silently, with an expression of mute misery on her face.
"Lady Errington," said Eustace earnestly after a pause, "believe me, I am as sorry as you are, but I do not know how to act. I wrote to Guy, offering him half the property by deed of gift, and he refused to take it."
"He could do no less," she answered dully. "What right have we to rob you?"
"It's not robbery," he replied vehemently. "I have more money than I want. Whenever Guy likes to accept, he shall have half the property."
Without answering his question, she looked down at the baby playing at her feet, and then glanced at him keenly. "Where is my husband?" she asked quickly.
"On the Continent--at San Remo."
"With!--with that woman?"
"I!--I don't know," replied Eustace in a low voice, turning his face away.
"Mr. Gartney?"
"Yes, Lady Errington."