"Is he in pursuit of me?"
"Cleone--you know he is!"
"But how do you happen to know?"
"From his persecution of poor Ronald, for one thing."
"Persecution, sir?"
"It amounted to that. He found his way to Ronald's wretched lodging,
and tempted the poor fellow with his gold,--indeed almost commanded
Ronald to allow him to pay off his debts--"
"But Ronald refused, of course?" said Cleone quickly.
"Of course! I was there, you see, and this Beverley is a stranger!"
"A stranger--yes."
"And yet, Cleone, when your unfortunate brother refused his
money,--this utter stranger, this Good Samaritan,--actually went
behind Ronald's back and offered to buy up his debts! Such a thing
might be done by father for son, or brother for brother, but why
should any man do so much for an utter stranger--?"
"Either because he is very base, or very--noble!" said Cleone.
"Noble! I tell you such a thing is quite impossible--unheard of! No
man would part with a fortune to benefit a stranger--unless he had a
powerful motive!"
"Well?" said Cleone softly.
"Well, Cleone, I happen to know that motive is--yourself!" Here the
Duchess, alert as usual, caught Barnabas by the cravat, and only just
in time.
"Sit still--hush!" she whispered, glancing up into his distorted
face, for Mr. Chichester was going on in his soft, deliberate voice: "Oh, it is all very simple, Cleone, and very clumsy,--thus, see you.
In the guise of Good Samaritan this stranger buys the debts of the
brother, trusting to the gratitude of the sister. He knows your pride,
Cleone, so he would buy your brother and put you under lasting
obligation to himself. The scheme is a little coarse, and very
clumsy,--but then, he is young."
"And you say--he tried to pay these debts--without Ronald's knowledge?
Are you sure--quite sure?"
"Quite! And I know, also, that when Ronald's creditor refused, he
actually offered to double--to treble the sum! But, indeed, you
would be cheap at sixty thousand pounds, Cleone!"
"Oh--hateful!" she cried.
"Crude, yes, and very coarse, but, as I said before, he is
young--what, are you going?"
"Yes--no. Pray find my guardian and bring him to me."
"First, tell me I may see you again, Cleone, before I leave for
London?"
"Yes," said Cleone, after a momentary hesitation.
Thereafter came the tread of Mr. Chichester's feet upon the gravel,
soft and deliberate, like his voice.
Then Barnabas sighed, a long, bitter sigh, and looking up--saw
Cleone standing before him.
"Ah, dear Godmother!" said she lightly, "I hope your Grace was able
to hear well?"
"Perfectly, my dear, thank you--every word," nodded the Duchess,
"though twice Mr. Beverley nearly spoilt it all. I had to hold him
dreadfully tight,--see how I've crumpled his beautiful cravat.
Dear me, how impetuous you are, sir! As for you, Cleone, sit down,
my dear,--that's it!--positively I'm proud of you,--kiss me,--I mean
about the roses. It was vastly clever! You are myself over again."