The Argosy — page 185: what you’re looking at

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170 Court Netherleigh. fora moment upon his. ‘Other men have had to bear as much before you.” So, then, she knew it! A vivid red dyed his brow. How painful was this allusion, even from her ! ‘You have heard of it?” he breathed. | ‘“T heard of the trouble about the cheque last week from the Rector, during a flying visit he had to pay Netherleigh. The man was in terrible distress, hardly knowing whether his son was guilty or not guilty. <A little further news dropped out later, and yesterday Charles was brought home by his father and stepmother; his name cleared, but somebody else’s mentioned.” She paused a moment. Mr. Grubb said nothing. ‘“When I reached Lady Acorn’s this morning, she was alone—and in a tantrum,” continued Miss Upton. ‘‘ Not temper, but real, genuine distress. ‘ Betsy,’ I said, as I sat down by her, ‘I have come to hear the whole truth of this miserable business, so begin at the beginning, and tell it me.’ And she did tell me. She is full of wrath and bitter- ness: and who can wonder ?” ‘“‘ Against me ?” “Against you! No. Against Adela. She told me all; all, Iam sure, that she knows herself; and she did not spare her daughter in the recital. She said that Mr. Grubb—you—were at that moment with Lord Acorn, negotiating, she believed, the articles of a separa. tion. Was it so? “Yes. They are arranged.” “Alas! I have long foreseen that it might come to it. Before there was any notion of this last terrible offence of hers, I thought the day of retribution must surely come, unless she mended her ways. But we will say no more now. Adela is my god- daughter, cand I will do what I can for her, but I would rather have seen her in her grave.” He lifted his eyes to the earnest face. ‘“‘T would indeed. Far rather would I have seen her in her grave than what she is—a heartless woman. You have been to her a husband in a thousand, and this is how she has requited you. Well, we will leave it, I say—and you shall give me half a glass of that sherry wine.” “Only half a glass?” “Only half one. I never could take much wine, and latterly it has not seemed to do for me at all. And now, tell me—if you don't mind telling tales out of school—how Acorn is going on; for I expect you know. Fighting shy of his debts, as usual?” In spite of the mental pain that pressed so heavily upon him, Mr. Grubb could not forbear a smile, her tone was so quaint. ‘* Just now his lordship is flourishing,” replied he, his voice assuming corresponding lightness. ‘ He had a slice of luck at the Derby: won, it is said, between ten and twelve thousand pounds.” EOPMICELNOOLKS, (E00)