“And Mrs. Dale knows it?—knew it yesterday, I suppose?—when she heard his voice?”
“Yes, I think so, I suppose so. But I must tell you that she was so much upset that I didn’t attempt to ask her any questions about it. I only tried to quiet her, and offer, when she said she must see Lady Mallyan, to send off the telegram.”
Mabin, too much excited to sit still, sprang to her feet on the gravel path beside him.
“Isn’t it hard? Oh, isn’t it hard for her? She does exactly what is right, what is best. She ought not to be persecuted by either of them, by mother or son!”
But instead of answering her fervent outbreak in the same tone, or at least with sympathy, she saw, to her indignation, that Rudolph had difficulty in suppressing a smile.
“The persecution won’t last long,” said he. Then noting the revulsion of feeling expressed in Mabin’s face, he added quickly: “When Lady Mallyan and Mr. Banks meet, they will have to come to an understanding; and I can answer for it that after that Mrs. Dale will be left in peace.”
“That’s what Mr. Banks himself seems to think,” said Mabin ingenuously. “But Lady Mallyan was shocked when she heard he lived so near, and she doesn’t want to meet him.”
Rudolph was in an instant on fire with excitement.
“Oh, doesn’t she, though? Then I’ll take jolly good care that she shall!” He took three or four rapid steps away from her and came back again. His face was glowing with excitement. “Look here, Mabin, I want you to mount guard over the house, and see that the old lady doesn’t get away before I get back with Mr. Banks. Mind, it is very important. You must do anything rather than let her go. It’s just possible she may get an idea of something of the kind, and may try to get away.”
“All right,” said Mabin very quietly, but none the less showing in the firm set of her lips and the steadiness of her eyes that she would prove a firm ally. “But don’t be long gone; for I am afraid of what may be going on between that hard woman and poor little Mrs. Dale!”