The Shadow of Tyburn Tree

nightmare.

Jenny heard her stir and came over to her, carrying a tray with some cold chicken breast in aspic and fruit upon it. As she set it down on the bed-table to tempt her mistress she said: 'You're looking better already, Milady. Your sleep has done you good. Now eat this up and you'll be as fit as a trivet.'

'Thank you, Jenny.' Georgina sat up and, while the girl re­arranged her pillows, asked with an anxiety which she could not conceal. 'What—what is happening downstairs?'

' 'Tis that gloomy with all the blinds pulled down that we're better off up here, Milady. None of them went to church this morning, and all the guests have gone back to London. That is, excepting Mr. Brook, whom you may say is one of the family, and the Russian gentleman. 'Tis said below stairs that as he was the first to find you with Sir' Humphrey, the Colonel asked him to stay on to attend the inquest.'

'Inquest!' Georgina dropped her fork.

'Why, yes, Milady. Seeing Sir Humphrey died so sudden there has to be an inquest. 'Tis to be held at ten o'clock to-morrow in the library, so I'm told.'

'Will they—will they wish me to attend it?'

'That's more than I can say, Milady. But don't look so worried, now. If they do 'twill not be for more than a few minutes to tell how Sir Humphrey died.'

Jenny produced a small folded note from her apron pocket and went on. 'The Russian gentleman asked me to give you this, Milady; and Mr. Brook and the Colonel both inquired after you again.'

Georgina took the note and opened it. As she read the fine French writing she compressed her lips, then pushed it aside with apparent casuaktess; but she was considerably disturbed. It ran:

My Lady,

At ten o'clock to-morrow morning there is to be an inquiry into the manner in which your Ladyship's husband came by his death. Colonel Thursby has requested me stay on and make a formal deposition of such particulars regarding it as are known to me. I understand from him that your Ladyship will be called onto do the same. While I should be the last to suggest that your Ladyship, any more than myself, has the least desire to conceal any essential portion of the truth my feeling is that no good purpose could be served in disclosing irrelevant details to the idle curiosity of the vulgar. Should your Ladyship be of the same mind, you will realise the importance of our agreeing upon the lines that our respective statements should take, before attending the inquiry. Unless, therefore, your maid brings me a message to the contrary, I propose to do myself the honour of wailing upon your Ladyship in your boudoir this evening at eight o'clock.

Your Ladyship's

Most obliged, obedient and humble servant.

While she ate her chicken Georgina considered the implications of the new development. Instinctively she shrank from granting the Russian the tete-a-tetethat he requested. She knew that she had behaved like a fool and treated him badly the previous night; but he had sought to revenge himself in such a despicable manner, and brought such grievous trouble upon her, that she felt they were more than quits over that. She had counted on his departing without her having to see him again, and was determined to avoid his society in the future.

On the other hand, since this wretched inquest had to be faced, there was sound sense in his suggestion. Unless their statements about the sending of the note tallied, certain facts that they both wished to conceal might yet emerge. If that happened further probing might bring to light other, far more damning, matters. Georgina shuddered, and decided to see the Russian.

At seven o'clock she told Jenny that she meant to get up for a few hours, and set about making her toilette. Feeling that dead black would be overdoing matters for an interview with a man who knew that she had been on far from good terms with her husband, she put on a dove grey gown relieved only by a cross-over fichu of white muslin at the breast and frills of the same at the wrists.

She thought it unlikely that, in the circumstances, the Russian would try any tricks, but as a precaution, she told Jenny to remain in the bedroom to be within call; then, shortly before eight o'clock, she settled herself with a book in her boudoir.

Vorontzoff was punctual to the minute. He was dressed with his usual richness, but, appropriately, in a coat and breeches of sombre purple satin. His dark eyes gave her a quick, searching look, but his glance remained inscrutable. Having curtseyed to his bow, she waved him to a chair and, forcing herself to smile, said as lightly as she could:

'I am obliged to you, Monsieur, for waiting on me. 'Twas a most sensible suggestion of yours that we should meet before attending this plaguey inquiry. 'Tis an ordeal that I would gladly be spared but I take it my presence is considered essential?'

'I fear so, Madame,' he smiled back. 'And I appreciate that any public appearance must naturally be distressing to you at such a time. But I pray you do not concern yourself about it unduly. 'Tis merely a formality, and providing we agree as to what each of us should say 'twill call for no more than a repetition of what was said this morning.'

'Concerning last night,..' she hesitated, and then went on boldly. 'It had been my intention to make you a sincere apology; but I think you will agree that the steps you took to repay my disappointing you have cancelled out any obligation of that kind upon my part. I will only say now that matters did not transpire altogether as you have been led to suppose, and that to some extent unforeseen events govern­ed my actions.'

He nodded. *'I had an idea that might be the case. 'Twas clear to me from early in the evening that Mr. Brook was the victim of an acute jealousy. For my part, while I do not seek to excuse my act, I can assure you that it was carried out only on an impulse engendered by what I considered to be extreme provocation. Yet, even so, 'twas aimed at Mr. Brook rather than at yourself.'

Georgina gave an- inward sigh of relief. That difficult hurdle had been got over with a fair degree of face- saving on both sides.

The interview was not going to be as difficult as she had expected, and it seemed that owing to her tact she could now rely on the good­will of the Russian. After a moment, she said: 'Perhaps you would acquaint me now, Monsieur, with what you have in mind regarding to-morrow?'

'Merely, Madame, since we are good friends again, to do all in my power to spare you embarrassment.'

' 'Twould reflect upon us equally if the true reason for your send­ing your messenger to Goodwood became common property; and I am no less willing to spare you embarrassment with regard to that.'

He shrugged his broad shoulders. 'I pray you take no thought for me, Madame. 'Tis no longer necessary.'

'How mean you?'

'Since you find the position obscure, you must forgive me if I put the matter with some bluntness. After your admission of this morning that you inspired my act, should you retract 'twould be only your word against mine. Moreover, your original statement will receive the greater credence, and the case against you will only become the more damning should you begin to contradict yourself.'

She was quick to see his point and realise that she had already let him out. He was no longer dependent on her; whereas if he chose to retract, and declare that he had instinctively sought to protect her from scandal that morning but could no longer bring himself to do so when placed on oath, her whole position would be jeopardised. Yet it was clearly to his own interest to maintain the fiction, so she was not particularly disturbed, and said: 'We are agreed then that we should continue to explain your note as a plot between us, inspired by me with the intention of making a fool of my husband?'

'Why, yes. If you, Madame, can provide an adequate reason for wishing to play so aggravating a trick on him.'

'There would have been reason enough in the way he has plagued me during recent months by prying into my affairs. Charles Fox and numerous other people could substantiate that.'

' 'Tis well, then.' Vorontzoff stood up, apparently to go, and Georgina was greatly relieved to think that this trying interview had passed off so smoothly. But, instead of making her a leg, he stood for a moment regarding her with a faintly sardonic smile. Then he said: 'It remains only for me to offer you my felicitations.'

She kept her tone light and raised an eyebrow. 'I cannot think, Monsieur, of any matter upon which felicitations are called for.'

He pretended amused surprise. 'Your memory is short, then. 'Twas but yesterday you declared in the