Page:The Author of Beltraffio, The Middle Years, Greville Fane, and Other Tales (London, Macmillan & Co., 1922).djvu/395

FORDHAM CASTLE neglect it in her own case: she'll just have to realise it for herself. And, for that matter, you'll help her too. You'll be able to tell her, you know, that you've seen the last of me." And on the morrow, when, starting for London, she had taken her place in the train, to which he had accompanied her, he stood by the door of her compartment and repeated this idea. "Remember, for Mrs. Taker, that you've seen the last!"

"Oh but I hope I haven't, sir."

"Then you'll come back to me? If you only will, you know, Sue will be delighted to fix it."

"To fix it—how?"

"Well, she'll tell you how. You've seen how she can fix things, and that will be the way, as I say, you'll help her."

She stared at him from her corner, and he could see she was sorry for him; but it was as if she had taken refuge behind her large high-shouldered reticule, which she held in her lap, presenting it almost as a bulwark. "Mr. Taker," she launched at him over it, "I'm afraid of you."

"Because I'm dead?"

"Oh sir!" she pleaded, hugging her morocco defence. But even through this alarm her finer thought came out. "Do you suppose I shall go to Fordham Castle?"

"Well, I guess that's what they're discussing now. You'll know soon enough."

"If I write you from there," she asked, "won't you come?"

"I'll come as the ghost. Don't old castles always have one?"

She looked at him darkly; the train had begun to move. "I shall fear you!" she said.

"Then there you are." And he moved an instant beside the door. "You'll be glad, when you get there, 375