Page:The Lesson of the Master, The Marriages, The Pupil, Brooksmith, The Solution, Sir Edmund Orme (New York & London, Macmillan & Co., 1892).djvu/268

254 happiness with a man who will have married her in such absurd conditions?"

"Oh, he's charming, Mr. Wilmerding—everything you told me of him is true: it's a case of pure chivalry. He'll be very kind to her—he'll be sorry for her. Besides, when once he takes her away from her mother Veronica will be all right. Seeing more of them that way, before they left Frascati, I became ever so much interested in them. There's something in Veronica; when once she's free it will come out."

"How will she ever be free? Her mother will be on top of them—she'll stick to them—she'll live with them."

"Why so, when she has her other daughters to work for?"

"Veronica will be rich—I'm sure Mrs. Goldie will want to enjoy that."

"They'll give her money—Mr. Wilmerding won't haggle!"

"How do you know—have you asked him?"

"Oh, I know," smiled Mrs. Rushbrook. "You know I saw them again. Besides," she added, "he'll escape with his wife—he'll take her to America."

"Veronica won't go—she'll hate that part of it."

"Why will she hate it?"

"Oh, it isn't 'smart.'"

"So much the better. I should like to go there."

"Very good," said I. "I daresay I shall be sent there by the Foreign Office some day. I'll take you over."

"Oh, I don't want to go with you," said Mrs. Rushbrook, plainly. And then she added that she should try to get back to Rome by the Thursday.

"How was it you saw so much of them before they went away?" I suddenly inquired.