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"I wasn't mixed up in it," interrupted Frettlby, pale with anger. "Beg pardon," said Chinston, coolly, "a slip of the tongue; I was thinking of Fitzgerald. Well, I believe that crime to have been premeditated, and that the man who committed it was mad.
Frettlby awoke with a start, and found himself near the lawn-tennis ground, and Felix at his elbow, smoking a cigarette. He roused himself with a great effort, and tapped the young man lightly on the shoulder. "What?" he said with a forced laugh, "do you really expect me to play lawn tennis on such a day? You are mad."
Frettlby particularly, so I took him up to the study." "But I thought that papa said he was not to be disturbed?" "Yes, miss, but the gentleman had an appointment with him." "Poor papa," sighed Madge, turning again to the piano. "He has always got such a lot to do."
"'E, a-comin' round with di'monds and gold, and a-ruinin' my pore girl; an' how 'e's 'eld 'is bloomin' 'ead up all these years as if he were a saint, cuss 'im cuss 'im." "Whom does she mean?" whispered Calton to Kilsip. "Mean!" screamed Mother Guttersnipe, whose sharp ears had caught the muttered question. "Why, Mark Frettlby!" "Good God!"
Sad and thoughtful as Mr. Frettlby looked, as he came along, a smile broke over his face as he caught sight of his, daughter. "My dear Fitzgerald," he said, holding out his hand, "this is indeed a surprise! When did you come over?" "About half-an-hour ago," replied Brian, reluctantly, taking the extended hand of the millionaire. "I came to see Madge, and have a talk with you."
"I'm not going to have you appear in Melbourne a pale, fond lover, as though I were treating you badly. Come, sir no," she continued, putting up her hand as he tried to kiss her, "business first, pleasure afterwards," and they went into the dining-room laughing. Mark Frettlby wandered down to the lawn-tennis ground, thinking of the look he had seen in Brian's eyes.
Brian sat still, and wondered why Frettlby changed colour on hearing the name he supposed that the millionaire had been mixed up with the actress, and did not care about being reminded of his early indiscretions and, after all, who does? "She was as light as a fairy," continued Valpy, with wicked chuckle. "What became of her?" asked Brian, abruptly.
Madge Frettlby was engaged in that occupation so dear to every female heart shopping. She was in Moubray, Rowan, and Hicks', turning over ribbons and laces, while the faithful Brian waited for her outside, and amused himself by looking at the human stream which flowed along the pavement.
"We weren't saints then," said old Valpy, with a senile chuckle. "Ah, then, we haven't changed much in that respect," retorted Frettlby, drily. "You talk of your theatres now," went on Valpy, with the garrulousness of old age; "why, you haven't got a dancer like Rosanna." Brian started on hearing this name again, and he felt Madge's cold hand touch his.
Notwithstanding the hospitable invitation of Mr. Frettlby, Brian refused to stay at Yabba Yallook that night, but after saying good-bye to Madge, mounted his horse and rode slowly away in the moonlight. He felt very happy, and letting the reins lie on his horse's neck, he gave himself up unreservedly to his thoughts.
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