feverishly that he was “all right,” and in the same breath announce his retreat from London to some vague destination—not to his own country-seat?
“As you expect Alec here, wouldn’t it be better to wait for him?” she urged; adding naively, “I could even offer you a bed, if you would condescend to make yourself at home in your own house.”
But Beaumanoir was in no mood to perceive the humor of the situation. He was clearly fidgeting to be gone, and Sybil could only conclude that he wanted to be gone before Alec arrived. With a girl’s faith in her lover’s power to surmount most difficulties, she decided to try and detain her cousin as long as possible; but her diplomacy was not called into play. Prince, now wearing an air of mild protest at all these excursions and alarums, appeared in the doorway to announce:
“Mr. Forsyth.”
Beaumanoir was evidently disconcerted at not having made his exit in time; and Sybil, recognizing that there was something between the two men not for her ears, tactfully withdrew to the other end of the room, after smiling a greeting to her lover. She thought none
[96]
