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Richard sat writing, but rose on seeing him, and came forward.
It struck his Grace that Carstares was looking quite happy.
"You seem cheerful, Richard!"
"I am," smiled his brother-in-law.
"I am much relieved to hear it. I have seen Shepherd."
"Shepherd?" interrogated Carstares.
"Lovelace's colonel, my dear Richard. You may count on Captain Harold'sdeparture--on an important mission--in, say, forty-eight hours."
"You may count on Captain Harold's departure in very much less, Tracy,"said Carstares, a twinkle in his eye.
The Duke started forward.
"She has gone?" he almost hissed.
"Gone? No! She is in the drawing-room with him."
"With Lovelace! And you permit it? You stand by and watch another man--"
"Say farewell to my wife. But I am not watching it, as you see."
The anger died out of his Grace's eyes.
"Farewell? Do you tell me you at last came to your senses?"
"We found that we both laboured under a delusion," replied Carstarespleasantly.
"I am delighted to hear you say so. I hope you will for the future keepa stricter hold over Lavinia."
"Do you?"
"I do. I think I will not undo what I have done; Lovelace were perhapsbetter out of the way for a time."
"Why, I have no objection to that," bowed Richard.
His Grace nodded shortly and picked up his hat.
"Then there remains nothing more to be done in the matter."
He looked piercingly across at Carstares. "She did not love him?"
Richard gave a happy little sigh.
"She loves me."
The heavy lids drooped again.
"You cannot conceive my delight. If she indeed loves you, she is safe. Ithought she had not got it in her. Pray bear my respects to her." Hishand was on the door-knob, when something seemed to occur to him.
"I take it my presence at Wyncham on Friday will not be necessary?" hesaid cynically.
Richard flushed.
"It will not be necessary."
