“I’ll meet you at the manor gates at ten o’clock tonight and take you for a row. Don’t fail to be there——”
The door opened and Polly entered followed by Elsie.
CHAPTER XXII
Gita scowled. Geoffrey ran his hand through his hair until it stood up like a rooster’s comb. Polly’s eyes glittered. Elsie set her lips.
Gita turned on her heel. “Topper gave us your favorite lemon pie, Elsie,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m going to tell Amanda to make another for dinner.” And she marched off.
“I must go and take a look at Eustace.” Geoffrey made his exit.
Polly turned to her ally. “What’s happened?” Her eyes were more frightened than angry. “They looked as if he had just kissed her.”
“That’s nonsense, of course. You forget the circumstances——” Elsie’s eyes turned to the head of the table. “But something’s happened. That lemon pie hasn’t been touched. And it’s Amanda’s chef-d’œuvre and the favorite dessert of both of them.”
“Do you suppose he told her—told her—oh, it can’t be possible he still cares! Oh, no! I suppose she’d intrigue and fascinate any man if she took the trouble, and it looks as if she had. She told me once she was as vain as a peacock, and she’s become so used to admiration—no doubt she’s been missing it——” She grasped Elsie’s arm. “Tell Eustace not to let her go!” she cried, her voice harsh with fear. “Make him believe he’s only to hold on, has everything on his side—I forgot! You want him yourself. I’m out in the cold!”
Elsie was still frowning at the lemon pie. “All that’s in the future,” she said. “May never come to anything. But if I could keep him buoyed up until Geoffrey had no excuse to stay longer——” And then she shook herself angrily and drew her hand across her brow. “No, I’ll not do anything sly and detestable. It’s not a pleasant sensation to despise yourself. We have to live with ourselves—must keep on good terms. You’re quite equal to managing your own affairs and you’re on the ground. You can see to it they’re never alone.”