Page:Gilbert Parker--The Lane that had No Turning.djvu/192

176 with a sigh, and she had no airs of badness at all and very little of usual coquetry. Fabian was enamoured, and it was clear that he intended to bring the woman to the Manor one way or another.

Henri admitted the fascination of the woman, felt it, despaired, went to Montreal, got proof of her career, came back, and made his final and only effort to turn his brother from the girl.

He had waited an hour outside the hotel for his brother, and when Fabian got in, he drove on without a word. After a while, Fabian, who was in high spirits, said:

"Open your mouth, Henri. Come along, sleepyhead."

Straightway he began to sing a rollicking song, and Henri joined in with him heartily, for the spirit of Fabian’s humour was contagious:

He was about to begin another verse when Henri stopped him, saying:

"You’re going to break your neck, Fabian."

"What’s up, Henri?" was the reply.

"You’re drinking hard, and you don’t keep good company."