Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/119

Rh him, spoke for him. "Didn't you hear him say it was Jean who told him?"

"Oh, Jean!"—Tony looked graver. "She told Jean?" But his gaiety, at this image, quickly came back. "That was charming of her!"

Mrs. Beever remained cold. "Why on earth was it charming?"

Tony, though he reddened, was pulled up but an instant—his spirits carried him on. "Oh, because there hasn't been much between them, and it was a pretty mark of confidence." He glanced at his watch. "They're in the house?"

"Not in mine—in yours."

Tony looked surprised. "Rose and Vidal?"

Paul spoke at last. "Jean also went over—went after them."

Tony thought a moment. "'After them'—Jean? How long ago?"

"About a quarter of an hour," said Paul.

Tony continued to wonder. "Aren't you mistaken? They're not there now."

"How do you know," asked Mrs. Beever, "if you've not been home?"

"I have been home—I was there five minutes ago."