Captain Evremonde bowed profoundly, trailing his broad white hat along the sward.
“Do me the favour to read this, madam,” he said, and handed a letter to her.
Lady Jocelyn raised her brows as she gathered the contents of the letter.
“Ferdinand’s handwriting!” she exclaimed.
“I accuse no one, madam,—I make no accusation. I have every respect for you, madam,—you have my esteem. I am sorry to intrude, madam, an intrusion is regretted. My wife runs away from her bed, madam, and I have the law, madam, the law is with the husband. No force!” He lashed his cane sharply against his white legs. “The law, madam. No brute force!” His cane made a furious whirl, cracking again on his legs, as he reiterated, “The law!”
“Does the law advise you to strike at a tangent all over the country in search for her?” inquired Lady Jocelyn.
Captain Evremonde became ten times more voluble and excited.
Mrs. Mel was heard by the Countess to say: “Her ladyship does not know how to treat madmen.”
Nor did Sir Franks and Sir John. They began expostulating with him.
“A madman gets madder when you talk reason to him,” said Mrs. Mel.