To the astonishment of every one in Barminster Castle, some few hours
later, Mr. Vermont reappeared.
In his turn he seemed quite as surprised when he learned that Leroy had
already returned to London.
"Gone," he echoed, "just a few hours ago? Dear! dear! I must have missed
him by telling my chauffeur to take the road across the moor."
He entered the Castle while he was speaking, and the servants hastened
to learn his commands; for, next to the sun, there is nothing better
than the moon--next to the Hon. Adrien came his friend and agent, Mr.
Jasper Vermont. But Jasper waved them amiably aside, as he entered the
dining-room.
"You would like some luncheon, sir?" inquired the butler, coming forward
respectfully.
Jasper nodded.
"Just a snack, Judson. Don't put yourselves out for me, I'm off again
directly."
While the estimable Judson went off to get this snack--which resolved
itself into an exquisitely-laid lunch--Mr. Vermont dropped into a chair,
and surveyed the scene through the open window. Strange to say, his
thoughts seemed to run similarly to those of Lady Constance, earlier in
the day; for he exclaimed under his breath: "It's a large stake, worth playing for. Awkward my missing him." He
smoothed out a pile of deeds and documents and replaced them in his
leather bag. "He would have signed these without a word here; at his
chambers, he'll amuse himself by reading them, confound it!"
A rustle of silken skirts attracted his attention; the scowl vanished,
and he readjusted his smiling mask as the door opened and Lady Constance
entered the room.
She had been informed of his sudden arrival; and, though heartily
disliking him, she was yet bound to play the part of hostess while her
aunt was resting.
Mr. Vermont bowed low over her extended hand, as over that of an
empress.
"I hope your ladyship is well?" he asked.
"Quite, thank you, Mr. Vermont," she said with cold indifference. "I
suppose you have come down to see Adrien? He started for London before
breakfast this very morning."
"So I have just heard," he returned sweetly.
"I am not greatly surprised, as Lady Merivale was asking after him last
night. I expect she summoned him."
The girl's face paled ever so slightly, though she strove to give no
sign that his shaft had hit home. Adrien had received a letter that
morning, as she knew, one having been brought up to her by mistake.
"Very likely," she said imperturbably. "I daresay he had to attend to
some business too."