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For, if the Earl of Airth and Monteith might write himself down "Jim Airth" in the Moorhead Inn visitors' book, and be blameless, why might not Lady Ingleby of Shenstone take an equally simple name, without committing an unpardonable offence? Myra pondered, wept, and reasoned round in a circle, growing more and more bewildered and perplexed.
He still wore a look of sadness as he descended the steps leading to the flower garden, made his way along the narrow gravel paths; then stepped on to the soft turf of the lawn, and walked towards the clump of beeches. Jim Airth tall and soldierly, broad-shouldered and erect might have made an excellent impression upon Lady Ingleby, had she watched his coming.
After the manner of leisurely country post-offices, the full address was written on the envelope. It caught Jim Airth's eye, and hardly conscious of doing so, he took it up and read it. "Lady Ingleby, Shenstone Park, England." He laid it down. "England?" he wondered, idly. "Who can have been wiring to her from abroad?" Then he turned. He had not heard her enter; but she was standing behind him.
The emotion of the mind had awakened an awkwardness of body. In that uniting "Our Father," their souls had leapt on, beyond where their bodies were quite prepared to follow. Lady Ingleby saved the situation. She turned to Jim Airth, with that impulsive sweetness which could never be withstood.
We should gain nothing by shutting you up with the one person who is doing you harm, and from whom we must contrive your escape." "The one person ?" queried Myra, wide-eyed. "A charming person," smiled the doctor, "where the rest of mankind are concerned; but very bad for you just now." "But whom?" questioned Myra, again. "Whom can you mean?" "I mean Lady Ingleby," replied the doctor, gravely.
"Had I remembered him, I might have doubted the telegram," remarked Lady Ingleby. "What can have aroused Billy's suspicions?" "Like Peter," said the doctor, "Billy had, from the first, felt very sure. Do not mention to him that I told you the doubts originated with him. He is a sensitive lad, and the whole thing has greatly distressed him." "Dear Billy," said Lady Ingleby.
All through the night Lady Ingleby lay gazing before her, with bright unseeing eyes. The quiet woman from the Lodge, who had been, before her own marriage, a devoted maid-companion to Lady Ingleby, arrived in speechless sorrow, and helped the doctor tenderly with all there was to do.
Billy returned as young, as inconsequent, as irrepressible as ever. And yet in him also, Myra was conscious of a subtle change, for which she, all too readily, found a reason, far removed from the real one. The fact was this. Both young men, in their romantic devotion to her, had yet been true to their own manhood, and loyal, at heart, to Lord Ingleby.
"Sit there," he said, "and do not rise, until I have left the house. And if ever these moments come back to you, Lady Ingleby, remember, the whole blame was mine.... Hush, I tell you; hush! And will you loose my hands?" But Myra clung to those big hands, laughing, and weeping, and striving to speak.
If we lose no time, he may catch the three o'clock express.... Groatley, tell the boy to take this telegram and have it sent off immediately. Give him half-a-crown, and say he may keep the change.... Now boys.... Shut the door!" The whirlwind of excitement was succeeded by sudden stillness. Lady Ingleby sank upon the sofa, burying her face for a moment in the cushions.
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