“I will tell you presently.”
“Barbara, are you going to have secrets from me, your mother?”
“I will tell you presently. I cannot now.”
Barbara left the room.
Mrs. Evershed walked to the window and watched her as she crossed the little quadrangle which stood in front of Mark Place. The girl went down a street, which led into a wide thoroughfare.
“How queerly she takes it,” thought the mother. “Many a man has done a similar thing before now. I am sorry Barbara is so sensitive. Doubtless those two will have their first quarrel over this matter. How did the rumor get out? Such private things as these are never known as a rule. What can it mean?”
Meanwhile Barbara, her heart on fire, and the noise of its loud beating quite audible in her ears, walked rapidly in the direction of Tarbot’s house in Harley Street. She arrived there about six o’clock. When the servant answered her summons she asked if the doctor was in. The man said no.
“When do you expect him to return?” asked Barbara.
“Not until late, madam. He had to go into the country to attend a patient.”
Barbara hesitated for a moment; then with reluctance she put her next question.