“You had better have done so!” Sherry said swiftly, a white shade round his mouth. “A precious set of friends I have! All these weeks — Where is she?”
“She is residing in Camden Place, the guest of Lady Saltash,” George said.
Sherry stared at him. “Lady Saltash! Gil’s grandmother? Well, of all the — I little thought when I came here what I was to find! It passes everything, so it does! The guest of Lady Saltash! And tolerably well entertained, I collect? Not obliged to earn her bread! Not in any kind of straits!”
“Damn it, you should be glad of that!” retorted George.
“Glad of it! Of course I’m glad of it! But when I think — And you knew! You, and Gil, and Ferdy! Calling yourselves my friends and aiding and abetting my wife to conceal herself from me, while I hunted high and low for her, and was gudgeon enough to picture her in want and distress! By God, it beats everything so it does! I’d like to tear your guts out and throw ’em to the crows!”
“Oh, take a damper!” said George impatiently. “Or go back to London, and tear Gil’s guts out! It was his notion, not mine.”
Sherry, who was striding about the room, said over his shoulder: “Walking along as cheerfully as you please, with her hand in your arm! Never even waiting to let me come up with her! The guest of Lady Saltash! A pretty fool you have made me look, between the four of you!”
“No, we haven’t. No one knows the truth save ourselves. Lady Sheringham goes by the name of Miss Wantage here.”
This piece of intelligence seemed, oddly enough, to enrage the Viscount more than ever. He appeared to have difficulty in catching his breath. George judged the time ripe for a second offer of refreshment. He poured out two glasses of port, and handed one to his afflicted friend. Sherry took it absently, tossed off the wine, and regained his power of speech. Fixing George with a smouldering eye, he said: “I take it my wife ain’t wearing the willow for me?”
“No,” said George, following out his instructions. “She was devilish upset at the start of it all, but she seems to be in famous shape now. Likes Bath, you know. Likes the balls, and the concerts and has made friends here. Very taking little thing, Kitten: I fancy she is quite the rage in Bath.”