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Indeed he could not rid himself of the idea that there was a very inquisitive look in Madame Zabriska's large eyes. Mina risked one more question, put very carelessly. "I think he must have met Lady Tristram there once or twice. Does he say anything about her?" "Not a word," said Neeld, grasping the nettle firmly this time.
"And what do they want you for, Neeld?" If his tone and his question were not very flattering, they were excused by the obvious fact that there was no sort of reason for wanting Mr Neeld or at any rate seemed to all that party to be none. "Oh er why why no doubt it's it's only a fancy of Mina Zabriska's." "A very queer fancy," said Janie Iver coldly.
It will be observed that the Imp had been alleviating the pangs of her own perplexity by a dexterous ministering to the delusions of others. Not for the world would she have contradicted Miss S.'s assertions; she would as soon have thought of giving that lady a plain and unvarnished account of the late Monsieur Zabriska's very ordinary and quite reputable life and death. No doubt she was right.
"Has it? I didn't notice. I was too busy with the Major's trick." As he spoke he looked full in Mina Zabriska's face. She bore his glance for a moment, then cried to Janie, "Oh, please drive on!" The dog-cart started; the Major, with a stiff touch of his hat, strode along the road. Harry was left alone by the Pool. His gayety and defiance vanished; he stood there scowling at the Pool.
What Janie hinted and Iver did not discard was a view which found some supporters; and where it was entertained, poor Mina Zabriska's character was gone. Miss S. herself was all but caught by the idea, and went so far as to say that she had never thought highly of Madame Zabriska, while the Major was known to be impecunious.
Whether he meant the marriage, the check, or the lady, was immaterial; it came to the same thing. "It's all very troublesome," Lady Tristram complained. "It really half spoils our lives, doesn't it, Harry? One always has to be worrying." The smile whose movements had excited Mina Zabriska's interest made its appearance on Harry's face.
"Men are always the difficulty, aren't they?" said the Imp. "Poor child, and you've lost yours!" "Yes, poor Adolf!" There was a touch of duty in Mina's sigh. She had been fond of Adolf, but his memory was not a constant presence. The world for the living was Madame Zabriska's view. "I'm so glad Janie's found a friend in you and a wise one, I'm sure."
Had Lady Flora ever indulged in the same expression of feeling, it would have been when she was asked to send it. Gasping still, Mina telegraphed for her best frock and all the jewelled tokens of affection which survived to testify to Adolf Zabriska's love.
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