“‘Rather glad’ hardly seems to describe it; you looked overjoyed.”
“Don’t be severe, Millicent. Let me explain. Since Lisle came over, nothing has been quite the same. He got hold of you and Nasmyth and the others, and in a way alienated you from me. I don’t mean he did it with deliberate intention, but he took up your time and monopolized your interest. I’ve seen much less of both of you.”
“And, of late, of the Crestwicks.”
“Oh,” he returned in his most casual manner, “I shouldn’t have had much more of their company in any case. Jim’s going to Canada and Bella to Sussex. I understand from Marple that it will be some time before she visits us again.”
Millicent was glad to hear it, but she made no comment.
“It’s unreasonable to blame Lisle,” Gladwyne went on; “though he did make some unpleasantness with Batley; but I have had so many annoyances and troubles since he arrived. Everything has been going wrong and I can’t disassociate him from the unfortunate tendency.”
He sat where the light fell upon his face, and Millicent, studying it, was stirred to compassion, which was always ready with her. He looked harassed and nervous, as if he had borne a heavy strain, and she knew that the accident had preyed upon his mind. That, she thought, was to his credit. In addition to this, she had suspected that he was threatened with financial difficulties. The man had a dangerous gift of rousing women’s interest and sympathy.
“I’m sorry,” she said with sincere feeling. “You should go away for a time. You need a change.”
“I’ve thought of it; but I’m afraid I’ve been neglecting things lately and there’s a good deal that needs straightening up—farm buildings to be looked to, the stream to dyke in the low ground, and that draining scheme.”
It was not all acting; he had meant to give those matters some attention when he found it convenient, and she was far from suspicious and was quick to take the most favorable view of any one. That he recognized his duties and intended to discharge them gratified her.