XVI

Lady Kelsey's devout hope that her party would finish without

unpleasantness was singularly frustrated. Robert Boulger was irritated

beyond endurance by the things Lucy had said to him; and Lucy besides,

as if to drive him to distraction, had committed a peculiar

indiscretion. In her determination to show the world in general,

represented then by the two hundred people who were enjoying Lady

Kelsey's hospitality, that she, the person most interested, did not for

an instant believe what was said about Alec, Lucy had insisted on

dancing with him. Alec thought it unwise thus to outrage conventional

opinion, but he could not withstand her fiery spirit. Dick and Mrs.

Crowley were partners at the time, and the disapproval which Lucy saw in

their eyes, made her more vehement in her defiance. She had caught

Bobbie's glance, too, and she flung back her head a little as she saw

his livid anger.

Little by little Lady Kelsey's guests bade her farewell, and at three

o'clock few were left. Lucy had asked Alec to remain till the end, and

he and Dick had taken refuge in the smoking-room. Presently Boulger came

in with two men, named Mallins and Carbery, whom Alec knew slightly. He

glanced at Alec, and went up to the table on which were cigarettes and

various things to drink. His companions had no idea that he was bent

upon an explanation and had asked them of set purpose to come into that

room.

'May we smoke here, Bobbie?' asked one of them, a little embarrassed at

seeing Alec, but anxious to carry things off pleasantly.

'Certainly. Dick insisted that this room should be particularly reserved

for that purpose.'

'Lady Kelsey is the most admirable of all hostesses,' said Dick lightly.

He took out his case and offered a cigarette to Alec. Alec took it.

'Give me a match, Bobbikins, there's a good boy,' he said carelessly.

Boulger, with his back turned to Alec, took no notice of the request. He

poured himself out some whisky, and raising the glass, deliberately

examined how much there was in it. Alec smiled faintly.

'Bobbie, throw me over the matches,' he repeated.

At that moment Lady Kelsey's butler came into the room with a salver,

upon which he put the dirty glasses. Bobbie, his back still turned,

looked up at the servant.

'Miller.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Mr. MacKenzie is asking for something.'

'Yes, sir.'

'You might give me a match, will you?' said Alec.

'Yes, sir.'

The butler put the matches on his salver and took them over to Alec, who

lit his cigarette.

'Thank you.'

No one spoke till the butler left the room. Alec occupied himself idly

in making smoke rings, and he watched them rise into the air. When they

were alone he turned slowly to Boulger.

'I perceive that during my absence you have not added good manners to

your other accomplishments,' he said.

Boulger wheeled round and faced him.

'If you want things you can ask servants for them.'

'Don't be foolish,' smiled Alec, good-humouredly.

Alec's contemptuous manner robbed Boulger of his remaining self-control.

He strode angrily to Alec.

'If you talk to me like that I'll knock you down.'

Alec was lying stretched out on the sofa, and did not stir. He seemed

completely unconcerned.

'You could hardly do that when I'm already lying on my back,' he

murmured.

Boulger clenched his fists. He gasped in the fury of his anger.

'Look here, MacKenzie, I'm not going to let you play the fool with me. I

want to know what answer you have to make to Macinnery's accusation.'

'Might I suggest that only Miss Allerton has the least right to receive

answers to her questions? And she hasn't questioned me.'

'I've given up trying to understand her attitude. If I were she, it

would make me sick with horror to look at you. But after all I have the

right to know something. George Allerton was my cousin.'

Alec rose slowly from the sofa. He faced Boulger with an indifference

which was peculiarly irritating.

'That is a fact upon which he did not vastly pride himself.'

'Since this morning you've rested under a perfectly direct charge of

causing his death in a dastardly manner. And you've said nothing in

self-defence.'

'I haven't.'

'You've been given an opportunity of explaining yourself, and you

haven't taken it.'

'Quite true.'

'What are you going to do?'

Alec had already been asked that question by Dick, and he returned the

same answer.

'Nothing.'

Bobbie looked at him for an instant. Then he shrugged his shoulders.

'In that case I can draw only one conclusion. There appears to be no

means of bringing you to justice, but at least I can tell you what an

indescribable blackguard I think you.'

'All is over between us,' smiled Alec, faintly amused at the young man's

violence. 'And shall I return your letters and your photographs?'

'I assure you that I'm not joking,' answered Bobbie grimly.

'I have observed that you joke with difficulty. It's singular that

though I'm Scotch and you are English, I should be able to see how

ridiculous you are, while you're quite blind to your own absurdity.'

'Come, Alec, remember he's only a boy,' remonstrated Dick, who till now

had been unable to interpose.

Boulger turned upon him angrily.

'I'm perfectly able to look after myself, Dick, and I'll thank you not

to interfere.' He looked again at Alec: 'If Lucy's so indifferent to her

brother's death that she's willing to keep up with you, that's her own

affair.'

Dick interrupted once more.

'For heaven's sake don't make a scene, Bobbie. How can you make such a

fool of yourself?'

'Leave me alone, confound you!'

'Do you think this is quite the best place for an altercation?' asked

Alec quietly. 'Wouldn't you gain more notoriety if you attacked me in my

club or at Church Parade on Sunday?'

'It's mere shameless impudence that you should come here to-night,'

cried Bobbie, his voice hoarse with passion. 'You're using these

wretched women as a shield, because you know that as long as Lucy sticks

to you, there are people who won't believe the story.'

'I came for the same reason as yourself, dear boy. Because I was

invited.'

'You acknowledge that you have no defence.'

'Pardon me, I acknowledge nothing and deny nothing.'

'That won't do for me,' said Boulger. 'I want the truth, and I'm going

to get it. I've got a right to know.'

'Don't make such an ass of yourself,' cried Alec, shortly.

'By God, I'll make you answer.'

He went up to Alec furiously, as if he meant to seize him by the throat,

but Alec, with a twist of the arm, hurled him backwards.

'I could break your back, you silly boy,' he cried, in a voice low with

anger.

With a cry of rage Bobbie was about to spring at Alec when Dick got in

his way.

'For God's sake, let us have no scenes here. And you'll only get the

worst of it, Bobbie. Alec could just crumple you up.' He turned to the

two men who stood behind, startled by the unexpectedness of the

quarrel. 'Take him away, Mallins, there's a good chap.'

'Let me alone, you fool!' cried Bobbie.

'Come along, old man,' said Mallins, recovering himself.

When his two friends had got Bobbie out of the room, Dick heaved a great

sigh of relief.

'Poor Lady Kelsey!' he laughed, beginning to see the humour of the

situation. 'To-morrow half London will be saying that you and Bobbie had

a stand-up fight in her drawing-room.'

Alec looked at him angrily. He was not a man of easy temper, and the

effort he had put upon himself was beginning to tell.

'You really needn't have gone out of your way to infuriate the boy,'

said Dick.

Alec wheeled round wrathfully.

'The damned cubs,' he said. 'I should like to break their silly necks.'

'You have an amiable character, Alec,' retorted Dick.

Alec began to walk up and down excitedly. Dick had never seen him before

in such a state.

'The position is growing confoundedly awkward,' he said drily.

Then Alec burst out.

'They lick my boots till I loathe them, and then they turn against me

like a pack of curs. Oh, I despise them, these silly boys who stay at

home wallowing in their ease, while men work--work and conquer. Thank

God, I've done with them now. They think one can fight one's way through

Africa as easily as walk down Piccadilly. They think one goes through

hardship and danger, illness and starvation, to be the lion of a

dinner-party in Mayfair.'

'I think you're unfair to them,' answered Dick. 'Can't you see the other

side of the picture? You're accused of a particularly low act of

treachery. Your friends were hoping that you'd be able to prove at once

that it was an abominable lie, and for some reason which no one can make

out, you refuse even to notice it.'

'My whole life is proof that it's a lie.'

'Don't you think you'd better change your mind and make a statement that

can be sent to the papers?'

'No, damn you!'

Dick's good nature was imperturbable, and he was not in the least

annoyed by Alec's vivacity.

'My dear chap, do calm down,' he laughed.

Alec started at the sound of his mocking. He seemed again to become

aware of himself. It was interesting to observe the quite visible effort

he made to regain his self-control. In a moment he had mastered his

excitement, and he turned to Dick with studied nonchalance.

'Do you think I look wildly excited?' he asked blandly.

Dick smiled.

'If you will permit me to say so, I think butter would have _no_

difficulty in melting in your mouth,' he replied.

'I never felt cooler in my life.'

'Lucky man, with the thermometer at a hundred and two!'

Alec laughed and put his arm through Dick's.

'Perhaps we had better go home,' he said.

'Your common sense is no less remarkable than your personal appearance,'

answered Dick gravely.

They had already bidden their hostess good-night, and getting their

things, they set out to walk their different ways. When Dick got home he

did not go to bed. He sat in an armchair, considering the events of the

evening, and trying to find some way out of the complexity of his

thoughts. He was surprised when the morning sun sent a bright ray of

light into his room.

* * *

But Lady Kelsey was not yet at the end of her troubles. Bobbie, having

got rid of his friends, went to her and asked if she would not come

downstairs and drink a cup of soup. The poor lady, quite exhausted,

thought him very considerate. One or two persons, with their coats on,

were still in the room, waiting for their womenkind; and in the hall

there was a little group of belated guests huddled around the door,

while cabs and carriages were being brought up for them. There was about

everyone the lassitude which follows the gaiety of a dance. The waiters

behind the tables were heavy-eyed. Lucy was bidding good-bye to one or

two more intimate friends.

Lady Kelsey drank the hot soup with relief.

'My poor legs are dropping,' she said. 'I'm sure I'm far too tired to go

to sleep.'

'I want to talk to Lucy before I go,' said Bobbie, abruptly.

'To-night?' she asked in dismay.

'Yes, I want you to send her a message that you wish to see her in your

_boudoir_.'

'Why, what on earth's the matter?'

'She can't go on in this way. It's perfectly monstrous. Something must

be done immediately.'

Lady Kelsey understood what he was driving at. She knew how great was

his love, and she, too, had seen his anger when Lucy danced with Alec

MacKenzie. But the whole affair perplexed her utterly. She put down her

cup.

'Can't you wait till to-morrow?' she asked nervously.

'I feel it ought to be settled at once.'

'I think you're dreadfully foolish. You know how Lucy resents any

interference with her actions.'

'I shall bear her resentment with fortitude,' he said, with great

bitterness.

Lady Kelsey looked at him helplessly.

'What do you want me to do?' she asked.

'I want you to be present at our interview.'

He turned to a servant and told him to ask Miss Allerton from Lady

Kelsey if she would kindly come to the _boudoir_. He gave his arm to

Lady Kelsey, and they went upstairs. In a moment Lucy appeared.

'Did you send for me, my aunt? I'm told you want to speak to me here.'

'I asked Aunt Alice to beg you to come here,' said Boulger. 'I was

afraid you wouldn't if I asked you.'

Lucy looked at him with raised eyebrows and answered lightly.

'What nonsense! I'm always delighted to enjoy your society.'

'I wanted to speak to you about something, and I thought Aunt Alice

should be present.'

Lucy gave him a quick glance. He met it coolly.

'Is it so important that it can't wait till to-morrow?'

'I venture to think it's very important. And by now everybody has gone.'

'I'm all attention,' she smiled.

Boulger hesitated for a moment, then braced himself for the ordeal.

'I've told you often, Lucy, that I've been desperately in love with you

for more years than I can remember,' he said, flushing with nervousness.

'Surely you've not snatched me from my last chance of a cup of soup in

order to make me a proposal of marriage?'

'I'm perfectly serious, Lucy.'

'I assure you it doesn't suit you at all,' she smiled.

'The other day I asked you again to marry me, just before Alec MacKenzie

came back.'

A softer light came into Lucy's eyes, and the bantering tones fell away

from her voice.

'It was very charming of you,' she said gravely. 'You mustn't think that

because I laugh at you a little, I'm not very grateful for your

affection.'

'You know how long he's cared for you, Lucy,' said Lady Kelsey.

Lucy went up to him and very tenderly placed her hand on his arm.

'I'm immensely touched by your great devotion, Bobbie, and I know that

I've done nothing to deserve it. I'm very sorry that I can't give you

anything in return. One's not mistress of one's love. I can only

hope--with all my heart--that you'll fall in love with some girl who

cares for you. You don't know how much I want you to be happy.'

Boulger drew back coldly. He would not allow himself to be touched,

though the sweetness of her voice tore his heart-strings.

'Just now it's not my happiness that's concerned,' he said. 'When Alec

MacKenzie came back I thought I saw why nothing that I could do, had

the power to change the utter indifference with which you looked at me.'

He paused a moment and coughed uneasily.

'I don't know why you think it necessary to say all this,' said Lucy, in

a low voice.

'I tried to resign myself. You've always worshipped strength, and I

understood that you must think Alec MacKenzie very wonderful. I had

little enough to offer you when I compared myself with him. I hoped

against hope that you weren't in love with him.'

'Well?'

'Except for that letter in this morning's paper I should never have

dared to say anything to you again. But that changes everything.'

He paused once more. Though he tried to seem so calm, his heart was

beating furiously. He really loved Lucy with all his soul, and he was

doing what seemed to him a plain duty.

'I ask you again if you'll be my wife.'

'I don't understand what you mean,' she said slowly.

'You can't marry Alec MacKenzie now.'

Lucy flung back her head. She grew very pale.

'You have no right to talk to me like this,' she said. 'You really

presume too much upon my good nature.'

'I think I have some right. I'm the only man who's related to you at

all, and I love you.'

They saw that Lady Kelsey wanted to speak, and Lucy turned round to her.

'I think you should listen to him, Lucy. I'm growing old, and soon

you'll be quite alone in the world.'

The simple kindness of her words calmed the passions of the other two,

and brought down the conversation to a gentler level.

'I'll try my best to make you a good husband, Lucy,' said Bobbie, very

earnestly. 'I don't ask you to care for me; I only want to serve you.'

'I can only repeat that I'm very grateful to you. But I can't marry you,

and I shall never marry you.'

Boulger's face grew darker, and he was silent.

'Are you going to continue to know Alec MacKenzie?' he asked at length.

'You have no right to ask me such a question.'

'If you'll take the advice of any unprejudiced person about that letter,

you'll find that he'll say the same as I. There can be no shadow of a

doubt that the man is guilty of a monstrous crime.'

'I don't care what the evidence is,' said Lucy. 'I know he can't have

done a shameful thing.'

'But, good God, have you forgotten that it's your own brother whom he

killed!' he cried hotly. 'The whole country is up in arms against him,

and you are quite indifferent.'

'Oh, Bobbie, how can you say that?' she wailed, suddenly moved to the

very depths of her being. 'How can you be so cruel?'

He went up to her, and they stood face to face. He spoke very quickly,

flinging the words at her with indignant anger.

'If you cared for George at all, you must wish to punish the man who

caused his death. At least you can't continue to be his'--he stopped as

he saw the agony in her eyes, and changed his words--'his greatest

friend. It was your doing that George went to Africa at all. The least

thing you can do is to take some interest in his death.'

She put up her hands to her eyes, as though to drive away the sight of

hateful things.

'Oh, why do you torment me?' she cried pitifully. 'I tell you he isn't

guilty.'

'He's refused to answer anyone. I tried to get something out of him, but

I couldn't, and I lost my temper. He might give you the truth if you

asked him pointblank.'

'I couldn't do that.'

'Why not?'

'It's very strange that he should insist on this silence,' said Lady

Kelsey. 'One would have thought if he had nothing to be ashamed of, he'd

have nothing to hide.'

'Do you believe that story, too?' asked Lucy.

'I don't know what to believe. It's so extraordinary. Dick says he knows

nothing about it. If the man's innocent, why on earth doesn't he speak?'

'He knows I trust him,' said Lucy. 'He knows I'm proud to trust him. Do

you think I would cause him the great pain of asking him questions?'

'Are you afraid he couldn't answer them?' asked Boulger.

'No, no, no.'

'Well, just try. After all you owe as much as that to the memory of

George. Try.'

'But don't you see that if he won't say anything, it's because there are

good reasons,' she cried distractedly. 'How do I know what interests are

concerned in the matter, beside which the death of George is

insignificant....'

'Do you look upon it so lightly as that?'

She turned away, bursting into tears. She was like a hunted beast. There

seemed no escape from the taunting questions.

'I must show my faith in him,' she sobbed.

'I think you're a little nervous to go into the matter too closely.'

'I believe in him implicitly. I believe in him with all the strength

I've got.'

'Then surely it can make no difference if you ask him. There can be no

reason for him not to trust you.'

'Oh, why don't you leave me alone?' she wailed.

'I do think it's very unreasonable, Lucy,' said Lady Kelsey. 'He knows

you're his friend. He can surely count on your discretion.'

'If he refused to answer me it would mean nothing. You don't know him as

I do. He's a man of extraordinary character. If he has made up his mind

that for certain reasons which we don't know, he must preserve an entire

silence, nothing whatever will move him. Why should he answer? I believe

in him absolutely. I think he's the greatest and most honourable man

I've ever known. I should feel happy and grateful to be allowed to wait

on him.'

'Lucy, what _do_ you mean?' cried Lady Kelsey.

But now Lucy had cast off all reserve. She did not mind what she said.

'I mean that I care more for his little finger than for the whole world.

I love him with all my heart. And that's why he can't be guilty of this

horrible thing, because I've loved him for years, and he's known it. And

he loves me, and he's loved me always.'

She sank exhausted into a chair, gasping for breath. Boulger looked at

her for a moment, and he turned sick with anguish. What he had only

suspected before, he knew now from her own lips; and it was harder than

ever to bear. Now everything seemed ended.

'Are you going to marry him?' he asked.

'Yes.'

'In spite of everything?'

'In spite of everything,' she answered defiantly.

Bobbie choked down the groan of despairing rage that forced its way to

his throat. He watched her for a moment.

'Good God,' he said at last, 'what is there in the man that he should

have made you forget love and honour and common decency!'

Lucy made no reply. But she buried her face in her hands and wept. She

rocked to and fro with the violence of her tears.

Without another word Bobbie turned round and left them. Lady Kelsey

heard the door slam as he went out into the silent street.