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The house must be perfectly respectable, and must be reasonably near to Mr. Noel Vanstone's present residence, wherever that is. "You must allow me to be silent in this letter as to the object which I have now in view. I am unwilling to risk an explanation in writing.
She caught her breath in a little sob.... Pierson received that telegram at midday, returning from a lonely walk after his talk with Thirza. Coming from Gratian so self-reliant it meant the worst. He prepared at once to catch the next train. Noel was out, no one knew where: so with a sick feeling he wrote: "DEAREST CHILD, "I am going up to Gratian; poor George is desperately ill.
On the instant Noel left the duds where they were and bolted along the shore under the bushes, calling me loudly to come quick and bring my rifle. When we went back Umquenawis had trodden the clothes into the mud, and vanished as silently as he came.
This was all that the Colonel and the Physician had an opportunity to see, and the garden was so vast, and the place of combat evidently so remote from the house, that not even the noise of sword-play reached their ears. "He has taken him towards the grave," said Dr. Noel, with a shudder. "God," cried the Colonel, "God defend the right!"
Directly Noel left, the viscount gave orders that all visitors should be informed that he had gone into the country. From that moment, the whole household perceived that something had gone wrong with him, that he was very much annoyed, or very unwell. He did not leave his study on that day, but had his dinner brought up to him.
Sea and Air-planes were moving like great birds far up in the bright haze, and khaki was everywhere. But it was the sea Noel wanted. She made her way westward to a little beach; and, sitting down on a stone, opened her arms to catch the sun on her face and chest. The tide was nearly up, with the wavelets of a blue bright sea.
"Convey our thanks to the Rajah," he said, "and say that the gracious gift will be much appreciated! I shall give myself the pleasure of calling upon him to assure him of this in person to-morrow." The messenger salaamed again deeply, and withdrew. "I wish he'd keep his precious moonstones!" grumbled the Colonel. "They are more bother than they're worth. Hurry up, there, Noel! It's getting late."
"You ought not to be afraid with Master Overbold by your side. As for the tiger, we may meet him yet." "Oh, no, we shan't!" she asserted with confidence. "It would be too ludicrously like a fairy-tale." "Horribly ludicrous!" said Noel. "Well, come along and look for him!" So side by side they started. The way was exceedingly rough and here and there almost overgrown with coarse weeds.
Without doubt the accident to his mother had greatly excited him; for he was very pale and his countenance, ordinarily so calm, wore an expression of profound sorrow. He appeared surprised to see old Tabaret. "Ah, my dear Noel!" cried the old fellow. "Calm my inquietude. How is your mother?" "Madame Gerdy is as well as can be expected."
Before nine o'clock they were all back again at North Shingles. The ladies went at once into the house. Noel Vanstone remained with Captain Wragge in the garden. "Well," said the captain, "what do you think now of Mrs. Lecount?" "Damn Lecount!" replied Noel Vanstone, in great agitation. "I'm half inclined to agree with you. I'm half inclined to think my infernal housekeeper is mad."
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