“He’s lived abroad for years, I believe. I remember Rack’s telling me he had been crossed in love, and he cut himself adrift from England afterwards. I think the girl threw him over because in those days he wasn’t rich enough. She must feel rather a fool now, if she knows how things have fallen out. The Heronsmere rent-roll is enormous.”
“It rather serves her right, doesn’t it?” commented Ann, with a feeling that for once poetic justice had been meted out.
Lady Susan smiled.
“Yes. Though I always feel a bit sorry for people who get their deserts. You never realise how heavy the bill is going to be when you’re running it up.” She fell silent a moment, then went on: “The pity of it is that I suppose Eliot Coventry will never marry now, and so Heronsmere will ultimately go to a very distant branch of the family. He tried to get himself killed out of the way during the war, I heard. I knew a man in the same regiment, and he told me Eliot didn’t seem to know what the word fear meant—‘Mad Coventry,’ they called him. He took the most amazing risks, and came through without a scratch.”
“While poor Robin got badly wounded and gassed into the bargain,” said Ann. “That’s why I’m so glad he’s got this post. The doctors told him that an out-door job was his one chance of getting really strong again.”
“Yes, I’m very glad—for you,” answered Lady Susan ruefully. “But I shall miss you badly, child. However, if Robin wants you he must have you, and as he wants you to go as soon as possible I should think the best plan is for you to travel back to England with Philip and Tony next week.”
It was typical of Lady Susan that she wasted no time in repining, but promptly proceeded to sketch out a definite plan of action.
“But what about you?” asked Ann with some concern.
“I’ll come with you all as far as Paris, and there you can drop me to do some shopping. I shall stay two or three weeks, I expect.”
Ann’s face still remained clouded. She felt that it was hardly fair to desert Lady Susan so suddenly, much as she longed to join Robin as speedily as possible.