“Lethbridge!” interrupted the Viscount with scorn. “Upon my word, you’re a damned little fool, Horry! Lord, don’t be so simple! A man don’t plot with his mistress against his wife. Never heard such a pack of nonsense!”
Horatia sat up. “P-Pel, do you really think so?” she asked wistfully. “B-But I can’t help remembering that he said she d-did indeed know it was he all the t-time.”
The Viscount regarded her with frank contempt. “Well if he said that it proves she wasn’t in it—if it needs proof, which it don’t. Lord, Horry, I put it to you, would he be likely to say that if she’d had a finger in the pie? What’s more, it explains why the Massey’s gone off to Bath so suddenly, Depepend on it, if she found out it was he in the scarlet domino they had some sort of a scene, and Rule’s not the man to stand that. Wondered what happened to make her go off in such a devil of a hurry. Here, what the deuce—?” For Horatia, with a squeak of joy, had flung herself into his arms.
“Don’t do that,” said the Viscount testily, disengaging himself.
“Oh, P-Pel, I never thought of that!” sighed Horatia.
“You’re a little fool,” said the Viscount.
“Yes, I see I am,” she confessed. “B-but if he has b-broken with that woman, it makes me more than ever decided not to tell him aboutl-last night.”
The Viscount thought this over. “I must say it’s a devilish queer story,” he said. “Daresay you’re right. If we can get that brooch back you’re safe enough. If Pom don’t succeed—” His lip tightened, and he nodded darkly.
Sir Roland, meanwhile, had arrived in Half-Moon Street, and was fortunate enough to find Lord Lethbridge at home.
Lethbridge received him in a gorgeous flowered dressing-gown. He did not look to be much the worse for the blow he had received, and he greeted Sir Roland with suave amiability. “Pray sit down, Pommeroy,” he said. “To what do I owe this somewhat unexpected honour?”