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"Then I am sure you will excuse me an I do not appear. I have other,more important affairs on hand.....But I shall be loth to miss theheroics," he added pensively, and chuckled. "_Au revoir,_ my goodRichard!"
Richard bowed him out thankfully.
Presently the front door opened and shut again, and looking out of thewindow he saw that Captain Harold Lovelace had taken his departure.
He was now awaiting Mr. Warburton, whom he had sent in search of Johnsome days ago. He should have been here by now, he thought, but perhapshe had been detained. Richard was aching to hear news of his brother,longing to see him once more. But at the same time he was dreading themeeting; he shrank from the thought of looking into Jack's eyes,cold--even scornful. It was not possible, so he reasoned, that Jackshould feel no resentment....
"Mr. Warburton, sir."
Carstares turned and came eagerly forward to greet the newcomer.
"Well? Well?"
Mr. Warburton spread out deprecating hands.
"Alas! Mr. Carstares."
Richard caught his arm.
"What mean you? He is not--dead?"
"I do not know, sir."
"You could not find him? Quick! Tell me?"
"Alas! no, sir."
"But the Chequers--he said--Surely they knew something?"
"Nought, Mr. Carstares." Out came Mr. Warburton's snuff-box. Verydeliberately he took a pinch, shaking the remains from his finger-tips."The host, Chadber--an honest man, though lacking in humour--has not seteyes on my lord for well-nigh six months. Not since I went to advise mylord of the Earl's death."
"But Warburton, he cannot be far? He is not dead! Oh, surely not that?"
"No, no, Master Dick," soothed the lawyer. "We should have heard of ithad he been killed. I fear he has gone abroad once more. It seems heoften spoke of travelling again."
"Abroad? God! don't let me lose him again!" He sank into a chair, hishead in his arms.
"Tut! I implore you, Mr. Carstares! Do not despair yet. We have no proofthat he has left the country. I daresay we shall find him almost atonce. Chadber thinks it likely he will visit the inn again ere long.Calm yourself, Master Dick!" He walked up to the man and laid a hand onone heaving shoulder. "We shall find him, never fear! But do not--I know'twould grieve him to see you so upset, Master Dick--pray, do not--!"
"If I could only make amends!" groaned Richard.
"Well, sir, are you not about to? He would not wish you to distressyourself like this! He was so fond of you! Pray, pray do not!"
Carstares rose unsteadily and walked to the window. "I crave yourpardon, Mr. Warburton--you must excuse me--I have been--living inhell--this last week."
Warburton came over to his side.
"Master Dick--I--you know I have never cared for you-as--well--as--"
"You cared for him."
"Er--yes, sir, exactly!--and of late years I may, perhaps, have beenhard. I would desire to--er--apologise for any unjust--er--thoughts Imay have harboured against you. I--I--possibly, I never quiteunderstood. That is all, sir."
He blew his nose rather violently, and then his hand found Richard's.
* * * * *
Richard Carstares had plenty to occupy him for the rest of the week.Arrangements had to be made, a house acquired for Lavinia, Wyncham Houseto be thoroughly cleaned and put in order, awaiting its rightful owner.Once she had made up her mind to face the inevitable, Lavinia quiteenjoyed all the preparations. The new house in Great Jermyn Street shevoted charming, and she straightway set to work to buy very expensivefurniture for it, and to superintend all the alterations. In her presentpenitent mood she would even have accompanied her husband to Wyncham onMonday, to stand by him on the fateful Friday; but this he would notallow, insisting that she remain in town until his return. So shefluttered contentedly from Grosvenor Square to Jermyn Street, very busyand quite happy.
