Ulverston perceived that he was looking very pale, and said in a conscience-stricken tone: “Shouldn’t have told you! Don’t put yourself into a fret, dear boy! Only want you to tell me what you wish done!”
“Chard. Send him up to me!”
“Can’t. At least, not immediately, Ger! Told him to ride over to fetch your cousin! Seemed to me he’s the man we need.” He paused, and then, as Gervase said nothing, but only stared frowningly before him, he added: “I know you didn’t like it when Frant kept Martin under surveillance. Told him you didn’t need a watch-dog, didn’t you? Well, it’s precisely what you did need, Ger! While Frant was here, and Martin knew he was alive to his little game, he dared not pursue his damned purpose. No sooner was Frant out of the way, and Martin knew he was no longer being watched, than he seized the first chance that offered! Daresay this engagement of mine inflamed him.”
The Earl’s eyes travelled to his face. “If Martin tried to kill me, it was so that he should inherit my dignities. He could not more surely brand himself as my murderer than by running away!”
“Ay, thought of that myself!” agreed Ulverston. “Stupidest thing he could do, of course; but the more I think about it the more I think he’s just the sort of rash young fool who would do it! No head, Ger! no head at all! Might even have repented of it as soon as he’d pulled the trigger. Lord, I haven’t been staying here this while without learning a few things about your precious Martin! Done a lot of wild things in his time, because he wouldn’t stop to think before he gave way to his passions! Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’d taken fright as soon as he realized what he’d done, and run for it. No, and I’ll tell you another thing, Ger! It won’t surprise me if he comes back, and tells us some hoaxing story to account for his having gone off like that. Just as soon as he’s had time to get over his fright and see the folly of running away!”
“I must get up!” the Earl said, in a fretting tone. “I must get up!”
Rather alarmed at the consequence of this unguarded talk, Ulverston said hastily: “No, no, what good would that do? Dash it, I wish I hadn’t told you!” He looked round quickly, as he heard the door open, and hailed Miss Morville’s entrance with a mixture of relief and guilt. “Here, ma’am, come and tell St. Erth he must stay where he is! You won’t like it, but I’ve told him his brother ain’t been seen since yesterday, and what must he do but declare he shall get up?”
“It seems to me a great pity,” said Miss Morville acidly, “that you cannot be left to bear Lord St. Erth company for a bare quarter of an hour without throwing him into a fever, my lord! I beg your pardon if I seem impolite, but I must desire you to go away!”
“Well, you do, ma’am! Devilish impolite!” said the Viscount indignantly. “Dash it, St. Erth had to know it!”
“If you do not go, my lord, I fear I shall become still more impolite!” Miss Morville warned him.