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Updated: June 9, 2025
Francis Markrute seemed perfectly happy his manner as a host left nothing to be desired; he did not neglect the uninteresting aunt, who formed golden opinions of him; but he contrived to make Lady Ethelrida feel that he wished only to talk to her; not because she was an attractive, young woman, but because he was impressed with her intelligence, in the abstract. It made things very easy.
"Well, how do you know that is not the case with our dear Ethelrida?" grunted the Crow. "She did not come out for a walk. You had better count up, and see who else stayed at home!" So Lady Anningford began laughingly. The idea was too impossible, but she must reason it out. "There was Lord Melton but Lady Melton stayed behind, too, and the Thornbys all impossible.
I want to tell you, if it would interest you, the history of a man." Ethelrida had turned to look at the clock, also, and had collected herself. She was too single-minded to fence now, or to push this new, strange joy out of her life, so she said, "When the others go out for a walk, then, after lunch, yes, you may come." And without anything further, they left the room.
"Crow, dear, I have never been so thrilled in my life," she said, after her thoughts had come to this stage. "The lurid tragedy of the honeymoon pair cannot compare in interest to anything connected with my sweet Ethelrida, for me, so it is your duty to put that horribly wise, cynical brain of yours to work and unravel me this mystery. Look, here is Mr. Markrute coming in let us watch his face!"
"I must be the Lady of the Lake it is much the most dramatic part. And let us get the big sword out of the armory for Excalibur! I can have it, and brandish it as I enter the room." "Oh, nonsense, Betty darling!" Ethelrida said. "You are the very picture of Lynette, with your enchanting nose 'tiptilted like the tender petal of a flower, and your shameful treatment of poor Jimmy!"
Lady Highford crumbled her bread and then turned to the Duke there was nothing further to be got out of this quarter. Finally luncheon came to an end, and the three ladies went up to Ethelrida's sitting-room. Mrs. Radcliffe presently took her leave to catch a train, so the two were left alone. "I am so looking forward to your party, dear Ethelrida," Lady Highford cooed.
"Queen Anne, you wonder!" said the Crow. "It is such a deliciously incongruous idea, you see," Lady Anningford went on. "All of us in long pre-mediaeval garments, with floating hair, and all of you in modern hunt coats! I should like to have seen Tristram in gold chain armor." The Crow grunted approval. "Ethelrida is going to arrange that they go in to dinner together.
The thing seemed too preposterous; and her mind had instantly flown to the name, Laura Highford, before her reason said, "How ridiculous she is married already!" so she repeated again: "But to whom?" "I am going to be married to a widow, a niece of Francis Markrute's; you know him." Lady Ethelrida nodded.
Lady Ethelrida experienced a distinct feeling of excitement over this innocent rendezvous. "There is a staircase but no!" and she laughed "I shall tell you no more. It will be a proof of your sagacity to find the clue to the labyrinth."
She decided she would be quite frank with her if the occasion required, and if she should, by chance, make the same insinuation of the continuance of the Tancred race as Lady Ethelrida had innocently done, she would have plainly to say that was not in the transaction.
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