“I believe I have asked him for Tuesday. How awkward! Still, he is here. I always thought Lady Polloxfen so particular.”
Greetland gave a smile of superior insight. “So she is, dear lady; but you must remember that Aubrey Playford is heir presumptive to his cousin’s title, and the Stainford property is practically bound to go with it.”
“To be sure!” Lady Rotherfield’s brow cleared once more. And presently when, by accident or design, she encountered that eligible sneak, she begged him with her sweetest smile not to forget he was engaged to her for Tuesday when that delightful Tarbosch was positively going to play.
CHAPTER XXIV
HERRIARD’S CONFESSION
THE gossips for once were right about Herriard and Countess Alexia. They were going to be married almost immediately, and with a view to that event Herriard was preparing to interrupt his work at the Bar. Whither his position was drifting him he knew not: the developments directed by the inscrutable brain of a Gastineau were not to be forecasted. But, at least, if his career was checked, he would now be pecuniarily independent of briefs.
When, on the night of his terrible danger, he found with a great thrill of relief that his opportune visitor was Count Prosper, he invited him, in a half-dazed fashion, into his room, making what excuse of illness he could to account for his perturbed and disordered appearance. His explanations were suspiciously incoherent, for his mind was preoccupied with the problem as to what prompt action, if any, he ought to take with regard to Gastineau. But his visitor was an easy-going fellow; not given, at any rate outside his profession, to probing for recondite motives; and although he regarded Herriard’s confusion and disarray with a certain amount of wondering curiosity, he yet accepted the sight as a mere abnormality with which he did not happen to be familiar.
“I wondered what was the matter,” he laughed, “when I found you had opened the door and then disappeared.”
So Gastineau had not passed out. He was still in the chambers. Herriard could not, for his life, determine what he had best do.
“I had to go into the City to our Consulate,” Count Prosper proceeded chattily. “I was kept there late over some troublesome business, and one of the men took me to dine at some famous old eating-house. Strolling homewards, I passed the Temple and thought to see if you were to be still found in your den.”
“I am glad you did,” was Herriard’s fervent response.