United States or Bahamas ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
They held a sneer that was well-nigh intolerable, and yet which somehow restrained Noel for the moment. "What a very headlong young man you are!" pursued Hunt-Goring, in his soft voice. "I've done nothing to you. I haven't the smallest desire to quarrel with you. Nor have I given you any occasion for offence. It was Mrs.
Musgrave, that I can't help thinking that he must be one of those fortunate people 'whom the gods love." "But what a horrid thing to say!" protested Daisy. "I'm sure Noel won't die young. He is so full of vitality. He couldn't!" Hunt-Goring smiled upon his cigarettes. "I wonder," he said slowly, and chose one with the words. "I wonder!"
But Olga stood her ground. "I don't see how we can possibly go anyhow without telling Nick first. In fact, I would rather not." Hunt-Goring was smiling the smile of the man who has heard it all before. "Miss Olga is evidently afflicted with a tender conscience," he observed. "But if you really have two hours to spare and really care to go on the water, I do not see how Nick can reasonably object.
"Not free!" Sharply he repeated the phrase. Suspicion, keen-edged as a rapier, ran swiftly through him. His arms tightened. "Olga, tell me what you mean! Who is it? Not not that devil Hunt-Goring!" She did not answer him, save by her silence and the convulsive shudder that went through her at his words. But that in itself was answer enough, and over her head Noel swore a deep and terrible oath.
"I don't know quite how you managed it," he commented. "However, we are none of us infallible. Now tell me without reservation exactly what passed this morning between you two girls and Hunt-Goring." With quivering lips she began to tell him. There were certain items of that conversation with Hunt-Goring, of which, though they were branded deep upon her mind, she could not bring herself to speak.
Olga responded to it instantly, with that ready warmth of hers that was the secret of her charm. "My dear, you know I would do anything in my power for you. But I can't possibly be nice to Major Hunt-Goring. I do detest him so." "You detest Max Wyndham," said Violet quickly. "But you manage to be nice to him." The words rang almost like an accusation.
She is engaged to him. She can't know of this evil tale." "She probably does," said Hunt-Goring. "They were very intimate she and Violet Campion." "It isn't possible," Daisy said again. "Why, I believe she was actually with the poor girl when she died. Nick told me a little. He said it had been very sudden and a severe shock to her." "I should say it was," said Hunt-Goring. She looked at him.
It was not long before they passed the jutting headland that hid the little fishing-village from view; but Olga still stood motionless at the rail, fighting down the cold dread at her heart. She could hear Violet's voice on the other side of the deck, gaily chattering to Hunt-Goring. The scent of their cigarettes reached her, and she clenched her hands.
Hunt-Goring made a sudden movement, and he wheeled back. The livid look had gone from the man's face. He stood upright, and spat the cigarette from his lips. His eyes had drooped again, showing only a malicious glint between the lids. Yet there was something about him even then that made Noel aware that he was very near the end of his strength.
I've been making the most discreet enquiries, and I haven't unearthed the vaguest rumour of that tale Major Hunt-Goring told me. I believe it was all his own invention after all." "Very likely," said Will. "Opium-smokers often get delusions." Daisy caught and kissed her husband's hand. "How very charitable of you, Will! You're a perpetual antidote to my poison.
Word Of The Day