“You had better put such lunatic ideas out of your head, and take the night train to Marseilles,” said Clementina roughly.
Quixtus bit his knuckles and stared at the litter of tea in front of him. The orchestra for their last number played a common little jiggety air.
“Are you coming?” asked Clementina.
“Why should Dr. Quixtus,” said Mrs. Fontaine; “travel all the way to Marseilles to witness the death of a man whom he dislikes? I think it’s unreasonable to ask it.”
“Yes, yes,” said Quixtus. “It’s unreasonable.”
“And it would break up our pleasant little party,” pleaded Lady Louisa.
“Confound your party!” exclaimed Clementina; whereat Lady Louisa withered up in astonishment. “I’m telling him to perform an act of humanity.”
“He was my enemy,” said Quixtus in a low voice.
“And so you can hardly ask him to go and gloat over his death,” said Lady Louisa stupidly.
“Eh? What’s that?” cried Quixtus, straightening himself up.