Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/338

314 it in the dim light out there. It was short, and pithy, and sweet:—

"My Darling,—I have been offered a berth worth eight hundred a year—such a stroke of luck! It isn't much, but there'll be more to follow; and it's enough for a start. I vote we make a match of it at once—you said you would. I'm coming over by Friday's boat; mind you meet it at the quay.—Douglas."

That was all the letter.

"Friday's boat? That's to-morrow. Douglas!"

There was a great tenderness in her voice as she emphasised the name. With the letter pressed against her bosom she strolled back along the balcony. The sound of voices reached her. She had approached the open window of her mother's private sitting-room. The Duke was speaking.

"I don't know about platonic sense; I ain't good at that kind of thing. I know I'm fair gone on her."

There was a pause. Then her mother spoke.

"I can only hope that I misunderstand your Grace."

"I don't know why you should. I tell you I love the girl"

"Your Grace! And the Duchess?"

"Oh, blow the Duchess! If it comes to that, I'll marry the girl."

"Does your Grace, then, propose to commit bigamy?"

"Bigamy? Not me! I'll get a divorce."

Another pause. Miss Paynter, without, could fancy her mother's smile of bland maternal love.

"Of course, if you were free, that would be another matter. And, if a little bird tells the truth, you should have no difficulty in obtaining your freedom."