Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 6, 2025
At this moment the door opened, and there entered a complex odour of hairwash and perfumery a collar which must have been nearly related to a cuff, and a pair of tight patent-leather boots, all attached to and somewhat overpowering a young man. "Ah, my dear Mr. Grubb," said Lady Cantourne, "how good of you to call so soon! You will have some tea. Millicent, give Mr. Grubb some tea."
Once or twice Sir John had made a subtle passing reference to him, such as perhaps no other woman but Lady Cantourne could have understood; but Africa was, so to speak, blotted out of Sir John Meredith's map of the world. It was there that he kept his skeleton the son who had been his greatest pride and his deepest humiliation his highest hope in life almost the only failure of his career.
"He has not been here this afternoon?" "No," answered Sir John, closing the door behind him. "And you have not heard anything from him?" "Not a word. As you know, I am not fortunate enough to be fully in his confidence." Lady Cantourne glanced round the room as if looking for some object upon which to fix her attention.
At this moment another visitor was announced, and presently made his appearance. He was an old gentleman of no personality whatever, who was nevertheless welcomed effusively, because two people in the room had a distinct use for him. Lady Cantourne was exceedingly gracious.
For the sake of the man she loved mark that! not only the man to whom she was engaged, but whom she loved Millicent Chyne could not forbear pandering to her own vanity by the sacrifice of her own modesty and purity of thought. There was the sting for Lady Cantourne.
"I am afraid," replied Guy Oscard, with a somewhat shy laugh, "that that would NOT be interesting. Besides, I could not tell you now." "No, but some other time. I suppose you are not going back to Africa to-morrow, Mr. Oscard?" "Not quite. And perhaps we may meet somewhere else." "I hope so," replied Miss Chyne. "Besides, you know my aunt, Lady Cantourne. I live with her, you know."
He did not seem to think it necessary to ask Lady Cantourne whether she had noticed the object of his curiosity. "I was just wondering," replied Lady Cantourne, stirring her tea comfortably. "I will find out. She interests me. She is different from the rest." "And she does not let it be seen that is what I like," said Sir John.
She could hardly have said a better thing, because it took Lady Cantourne some seconds to work out in her mind where the West Coast of Africa was. "That is the unhealthy coast, is it not?" asked her ladyship. "Yes." Jocelyn hardly heard the question. She was looking round with a sudden, breathless eagerness.
"I do not like it, Jack," she said in a foreboding voice. "When do you go?" "At once in fact, I came to say good-bye. It is better to do these things very promptly to disappear before the onlookers have quite understood what is happening. When they begin to understand they begin to interfere. They cannot help it. I will write to Lady Cantourne if you like." "No, I will tell her."
Lady Cantourne rose deliberately and went downstairs to tell her niece that he was in the drawing-room, leaving him there, waiting, alone. Presently the door opened and Millicent hurried in. She threw her gloves and whip anywhere on the floor, and ran to him. "Oh, Jack!" she cried. It was very prettily done. In its way it was a poem.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking