"Did you know he had gone?" she asked, sharply.
"I knew nothing at all of it. What are you so cross about?"
Mrs. Arkell bit her lips—her habit when put out.
"I have always objected to Travice's excessive intimacy with the Peter Arkells," she slowly said. "You know I have. But I might just as well have objected to the wind's blowing, for all the effect it has had. I hope it will not prove that I had cause."
"Cause! What cause? What do you mean, Charlotte?"
"Well, I think they are a mean, deceitful set. I think they are scheming to entrap Travice into an engagement with Lucy Arkell."
Ill as Mr. Arkell felt, he yet burst into a laugh. The notion of Peter's scheming to entrap anyone, or anything, was so ludicrous: simple, single-minded Peter, who had probably never given a thought to Lucy's marrying at all since she was in existence! and his wife was utterly above meanness of any sort—the very soul of openness and honour.
"Where did you pick up that notion?" he asked, when his laugh was over.
"I picked it up from observation and common sense," answered Mrs. Arkell, resentful of the laugh. "Travice used always to be there; and now that they are back, I suppose he will be again. He has lost no time in beginning, it seems."
"And if he is there, it does not follow that he goes for the sake of Lucy."