"Look here!" she said, abruptly; "what's up? You two understand
something I don't. Out with it!"
Sir James, who could always blush like a girl, blushed.
"I vow that I am as innocent as a babe unborn!"
"What of?" The tone of the demand was like that of a sword in the
drawing.
"I have some guests here to-day."
"Who are they?"
"A young man you know--a young woman you would like to know."
Silence. Lady Niton sat down again.
"Kindly ring the bell," she said, lifting a peremptory hand, "and send
for my carriage."
"Let me parley an instant," said Sir James, moving between her and the
bell. "Bobbie is just off to Berlin. Won't you say good-bye to him?"
"Mr. Forbes's movements are entirely indifferent to me--ring!" Then,
shrill-voiced--and with sudden fury, like a bird ruffling up: "Berlin,
indeed! More waste--more shirking! He needn't come to me! I won't give
him another penny."
"I don't advise you to offer it," said Sir James, with suavity. "Bobbie
has got a post in Berlin through his uncle, and is going off for a
twelvemonth to learn banking."
Lady Niton sat blinking and speechless. Sir James drew the muslin
curtain back from the window.
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