Page:The Yellow Book - 01.djvu/284

262 Banish.Certainly, my dear.

Lady Dol.[Stiffly.]I can well understand that you have learned to regard Mr. Featherleigh as your own son. And as we advance in years, it is so pleasant to have young people about us.

Mrs. de Trappe.[After a slight pause.]How odd that it should never have struck me in that light before! I have always thought of Arthur as the trustee, as it were, of my poor fatherless Julia[To Banish.]Have I not often said so, James?

Danish.[Dryly.]Often. In fact I have always thought that Julia would never lack a father whilst Arthur was alive. But I admit that he is a little young for the responsibility.

Feather. [Unmoved.]Do not forget, Violet, that our train leaves in fifty-five minutes.

Lord Dol.[Catching a desperate glance from Lady Doldrummond.]Then I shall have time to show you the Russian poodles which the Duke of Camdem brought me from Japan.

Mrs. de Trappe.[Peevishly.]Yes, please take them away.[Waving her hand in the direction of Banish and Featherleigh.] Edith and I have many secrets to discuss. Of course she will tell you[to Lord Dol.]everything I have said when we are gone, and I shall tell Arthur and James all she has said as we go home. But it is so amusing to think ourselves mysterious for twenty minutes.[As the men go out laughing, she turns to Lady Doldrummond with a sigh.]Ah, Edith, when I pause in all these gaieties and say to myself, Violet, you are about to marry a second husband, I cannot feel sufficiently thankful that it is not the third.

Lady Dol.The third?

Mrs. de Trappe.To face the possibility of a third honeymoon, a third disappointment, and a third funeral would tax my courage to the utmost! And I am not strong.

Rh