But he had planned something for once which he was very determined to carry through, at any cost, and which would create a sensation too!
He had had a letter from Captain Arbuthnot, together with one for Phyllis, which he had left under cover with his mother for her. Captain Arbuthnot had quelled the disturbance, and had been ordered to Bombay. His return to England was uncertain. His uncle had died, so he was now in possession of a decent income. He wanted his wife. He asked Philip to arbitrate for him with Colonel Lane, fearing that if he wrote directly to the fiery old Colonel, his poor little wife would get a severe scolding, which he wanted to spare her.
Philip’s idea of arbitration was to dispatch Phyllis to Bombay, and tell her father—afterwards!
He had come to London to see a friend—Captain Hurst—who was taking out his wife in a few days to Bombay. He meant to arrange with them to take Phyllis to her husband. Then he would return to Hastings and carry off Phyllis. This was the most difficult part of his programme. He would, he knew, not be admitted at Colonel Lane’s house, and he felt sure Phyllis would be forbidden to go to Hawk’s Nest. He would have to bring all his wits to bear upon the problem. But he was quite determined. He was thoroughly sick of the “Phyllis complication.” He had a further unpleasant experience to go through, however, one he had certainly not expected, and one which was compromising enough.
Phyllis, very untidy and tear-stained, came to the “Adelphi,” and asked for him.
She had been to his publishers and got the address from them.
“I have run away, Philip,” she gasped, when he met her in the entrance hall. “I found out that you had gone to London. I came and got your address from the publishers. I won’t go back. What am I to do?”
“For God’s sake don’t begin to cry,” Philip said in low, angry tones. “Come where we can talk quietly.”
He led her into a room which at this hour—late afternoon—he knew he should find deserted.
“Now, Phyllis,” he began, when he had closed the door, “you have finished playing the fool. I want you to understand that. You say you will not go back to Hastings. Well, I have no intention of allowing you to do so. You are going to sail with Captain and Mrs. Hurst for Bombay and join your husband. He is there.”