He left the room. The flutter of a skirt caught his eye as he
reached the landing. A girl was coming down the corridor on the
other side. He waited at the head of the stairs to let her go down
before him. As she came on to the landing, he saw that it was Molly.
For a moment, there was an awkward pause.
'Er--I got your note,' said his lordship.
She looked at him, and then burst out laughing.
'You know, you don't mind the least little bit,' she said; 'not a
scrap. Now, do you?'
'Well, you see--'
'Don't make excuses! Do you?'
'Well, it's like this, you see, I--'
He caught her eye. Next moment, they were laughing together.
'No, but look here, you know,' said his lordship. 'What I mean is,
it isn't that I don't--I mean, look here, there's no reason why we
shouldn't be the best of pals.'
'Why, of course, there isn't.'
'No, really, I say? That's ripping. Shake hands on it.'
They clasped hands; and it was in this affecting attitude that Sir
Thomas Blunt, bustling downstairs, discovered them.
'Aha!' he cried, archly. 'Well, well, well! But don't mind me, don't
mind me!'
Molly flushed uncomfortably; partly, because she disliked Sir Thomas
even when he was not arch, and hated him when he was; partly,
because she felt foolish; and, principally, because she was
bewildered. She had not looked forward to meeting Sir Thomas that
night. It was always unpleasant to meet him, but it would be more
unpleasant than usual after she had upset the scheme for which he
had worked so earnestly. She had wondered whether he would be cold
and distant, or voluble and heated. In her pessimistic moments, she
had anticipated a long and painful scene. That he should be behaving
like this was not very much short of a miracle. She could not
understand it.
A glance at Lord Dreever enlightened her. That miserable creature
was wearing the air of a timid child about to pull a large cracker.
He seemed to be bracing himself up for an explosion.
She pitied him sincerely. So, he had not told his uncle the news,
yet! Of course, he had scarcely had time. Saunders must have given
him the note as he was going up to dress.
There was, however, no use in prolonging the agony. Sir Thomas must
be told, sooner or later. She was glad of the chance to tell him
herself. She would be able to explain that it was all her doing.
'I'm afraid there's a mistake,' she said.
'Eh?' said Sir Thomas.
'I've been thinking it over, and I came to the conclusion that we
weren't--well, I broke off the engagement!'
Sir Thomas' always prominent eyes protruded still further. The color
of his florid face deepened. Suddenly, he chuckled.
Molly looked at him, amazed. Sir Thomas was indeed behaving
unexpectedly to-night.
