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I'm so sorry." "It's nothing," I made haste to explain: "that is, nothing serious. I'll get rid of it in no time at all." I calculated for a minute. "A week or ten days at the most. Good morning, Colingraft." "Morning. Hello, sis. Well?" He dangled the gloves before my eyes. My disappointment was quite pathetic. "Tell him," I said to the Countess.
"Visually," she said succinctly, and I made haste to change the subject. The Countess looked amused, and Colingraft said something about it being more than likely that we did not have any mutual acquaintances in New York. His sister came to my rescue with a very amusing and exaggerated account of my experience with the Riley-Werkheimers and Rocksworths. Jasper was enthusiastic.
The Countess laughed. Then Jasper saw the point. Colingraft was the last to see it, and then it was too late for him to smile. We had tea in the loggia and I dined with the family in the Countess's apartment at eight that night. I think Mrs. Titus was rather favourably impressed when she beheld me in my own raiment.
"Tarnowsy is regarded as a wonderful marksman." "Worse luck!" growled Colingraft, gloomily twiddling his thumbs. "What kind of a shot is the baron?" asked Jasper Jr., hopefully. No one was able to enlighten him, but Billy Smith shook his head dolefully. "Maris Tarnowsy is a dead shot. He'll pot the baron sure." "Hang it all," said I, and then lapsed into a horrified silence.
Colingraft and Britton, the latter at the wheel, sat in the front seat, while I shared the broad cushions of the tonneau with the Countess, part of the time holding Rosemary, who was clamouring for food, and the rest of the time holding my breath in the fear that we might slip over a precipice. I am always nervous when not driving the car myself.
"Good for you, Jasper!" I cried warmly, and took the hand he proffered. "Colingraft, please take me to my room," murmured the mother. "I I feel faint. Send for Aline. Ask Mr. Bangs to come to me at once." I bowed stiffly. "I am sorry, Mrs. Titus, to have been so harsh, so assertive " She held up both hands. "I never was so spoken to in all my life, Mr. Smart.
You you've knocked him down!" "I didn't think I could do it," said I hazily. He sprang to his brother's side, and assisted him to a sitting posture. "Right to the jaw," shouted Jasper, with a strange enthusiasm. "Left," I corrected him. Colingraft gazed about him in a stupid, vacant fashion for a moment, and then allowed his glazed eyes to rest upon me. He sat rather limply, I thought.
Colingraft rather sententiously remarked to little Rosemary, who could not have comprehended the words, of course: "Well, little Rosebud, your papa may be a spendthrift but he never wastes bullets." Which was entirely uncalled for, I contend. I was struck by the swift look of dread that leaped into Aline's eyes and her pallor.
"Are you hurt, Colly?" cried Jasper, Jr. A sickly grin, more of surprise than shame, stole over Colingraft's face. He put his hand to his jaw; then to the back of his head. "By Jove!" he murmured. "I I didn't think he had it in him. Let me get up!" Jasper, Jr. was discreet. "Better let well enough alone, old " "I intend to," said Colingraft, as he struggled to his feet.
Colingraft came directly up to where we were standing. There was trouble in his eye. "See here, Mr. Smart," he began austerely. "I've got something to say to you, and I'm not the sort to put it off. I appreciate what you've done for Aline and all that sort of thing, but your manner to-day has been intolerable, and we've got to come to an understanding." I eyed him closely.
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