Page:Magician 1908.djvu/165



USIE stared without comprehension at the note that announced Margaret’s marriage. It was a petit bleu sent off from the Gare du Nord, and ran as follows:

“When you receive this I shall be on my way to London. I was married to Oliver Haddo this morning. I love him as I never loved Arthur. I have acted in this manner because I thought I had gone too far with Arthur to make an explanation possible. Please tell him. “.”

Susie was filled with dismay. She did not know what to do nor what to think. There was a knock at the door, and she knew that it must be Arthur, for he was expected at midday. She decided quickly that it was impossible to break the news to him then and there. It was needful first to find out all manner of things, and besides it was incredible. Making up her mind, she opened the door.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Margaret isn’t here,” she said. “A friend of hers is ill and sent for her suddenly.”

“What a bore!” answered Arthur. “Mrs. Bloomfield as usual, I suppose?”

“Oh, you know she’s been ill?”