“I couldn’t help it, Mamma!” said Bobby faintly.
“O! yes! you could, if you ’ad any pluck! You never saw me faint. Nor Gustave either! It’s all ’abit! Trundle ’im off to bed, Miss Wynward. The sooner ’e’s there, the better!”
“And I may give him a little stimulant,” suggested Miss Wynward timidly, recalling the scene of the evening before, “a little champagne or brandy and water—I think he requires it, my lady!”
“O! yes! Coddle ’im to your ’eart’s content, only don’t let me ’ear of it! I ’ate a fuss! Good-night, Bobby! Mind you’re well by to-morrow morning!”
And she brushed the lad’s cheek with her bristly chin.
“Good-night!” replied Bobby, “good-night to all!” as he was supported from the room on the arm of Miss Wynward.
The Baroness did not make any further remarks concerning her son, but Harriet noticed that her appetite disappeared with him, and declaring that she had tired herself too much to eat, she sat unoccupied and almost silent for the remainder of the meal.
CHAPTER XI.
Mr. Alexander Milliken arrived punctually upon the morrow.
He was a tall, gaunt, weak-kneed man, with a prominent nose and eyes that required the constant use of glasses. Harriet Brandt could not at first determine his relationship to the Baroness, who received him with one of the rough kisses she was wont to bestow on Bobby and herself.