‘What can I do? I’m pretty certain that Damerel woman has a game on hand. She doesn’t want Fanny to marry her nephew—if Lord is her nephew. She wants his money, that’s my idea.’
‘Mine, too,’ remarked the other quietly. ‘Look here, old chap, it’s your duty to look after your little damned fool of a sister; I tell you that plainly. I shan’t think well of you if you don’t.’
Beatrice displayed eagerness to defend herself. She had done her best; Fanny scorned all advice, and could not be held against her will.
‘Has she given up all thought of Lord?’
‘I’m not sure, but I think so. And it looks as if he was going his own way, and didn’t care much. He never writes to her now. Of course it’s that woman’s doing.’
Crewe reflected.
‘I shall have to look into Mrs. Damerel’s affairs. Might be worth while. Where is she living?’ He made a note of the information. ‘Well, anything else to tell me?’
Beatrice spoke of business matters, then asked him if he had been out of town lately. The question sounded rather abrupt, and caused Crewe to regard her with an expression she privately interpreted.
‘A few short runs. Nowhere particular.’
‘Oh?—Not been down into Cornwall?’