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"Of course I do, but not if you are longing to be somewhere else all thetime. The whole thing seems preposterous!"
"'Tis all dreadful!--dreadful! I have never been so unhappy in my life!I--oh, I wish I had not been so heedless and selfish!"
Lovelace pondered for a moment, as they stood outside her box; then,seeing that people were returning to their seats, he opened the door andtook her in.
"Listen, dear! This is the maddest scheme ever I heard; but if you aredetermined, you shall carry it through. Come to my lodgings to-morrowevening! Bring as little baggage as possible; I will have all ready, andwe will post at once to Dover. Then in time I hope you will forgetRichard and come to care for me a little."
"You are very, very good, Harry! Yes, I will do just as you say and, oh,I am sorry to put you out like this! I am nought but a plague toeveryone, and I wish I were dead! You don't really love me, and I shallbe a burden!"
"I do indeed love you!" he assured her, but within himself he could nothelp wishing that he had not fallen quite so passionately in love withher. "I'll leave you now, sweet, for your husband will be returning atany moment." He kissed her hands lightly "_A demain_, fairest!"
How she sat through the last act Lavinia could never afterwards imagine.She was longing to be at home--so soon to be home no longer--and quiet.Her head ached now as Richard's had ached for weeks. More than anythingdid she want to rest it against her husband's shoulder, so temptinglynear, and to feel his sheltering arms about her. But Dick was in lovewith Isabella Fanshawe, and she must sit straight and stiff in her chairand smile at the proper places.
At last the play was ended! The curtain descended on the bowing Archer,and the house stamped and clapped its appreciation. The curtain roseagain--what! not finished yet? Ah, no! it was but Garrick leading Mrs.Clive forward. Would they never have done?
Mrs. Fleming was standing; she supposed they were going, and got up.Someone put her cloak about her shoulders; Richard--for the last time.Mr. Holt escorted her to her coach, and put her and her cousin into it.He and Mr. Fleming had their chairs; so only Richard and Tracy went withthe ladies. The Flemings were staying with friends in Brook Street, justoff Grosvenor Square, so that when they had put Harriet down, only a fewmore yards remained to be covered.
Lavinia wondered dully why Tracy had elected to come with them. What didhe want? Was he going to warn Dick of her intended flight? He littleknew the true state of affairs!
At the foot of the staircase at Wyncham House she turned to saygood-night.
She merely nodded to Tracy, but to Dick she extended her hand. He tookit in his, kissing it, and she noticed how cold were his fingers, howburning hot his lips. Then he released her, and she went slowly up thestairs to her room.
His Grace watched her through his eyeglass. When she was out of sight heturned and surveyed Richard critically.
"If that is the way you kiss a woman, Lavinia has my sympathies," heremarked.
Richard's lips tightened. He picked up a stand of lighted candles andushered his Grace into the drawing-room.
"I presume you did not come to tell me that?" he asked.
"Your presumption is correct, Richard. I have come to open your eyes."
"You are too kind."
His Grace laid his hat on the table, and sat down on the arm of a chair.
"I think perhaps I am. It may interest you to hear that Lavinia intendsto elope with our gallant friend the Captain." Richard bowed.
"You knew it?"
"Certainly."
Andover looked him over.
"May I ask what steps you are taking to prevent her?"
"Non
e."
His Grace's expression was quite indescribable. For a moment he wasspeechless, and then he reverted to heavy sarcasm.
"Pray remember to be at hand--to conduct her to her chair!" he drawled."Upon my soul, you sicken me!
"I am grieved. There is a remedy," replied Carstares significantly.
Tracy ignored the suggestion.
