Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/204

 "but for the sake of the Family as a whole." The presence of this woman at Bridport House could no longer be tolerated.

To this the Duke said little, but he committed himself to the statement that Mrs. Sanderson was much maligned and that they all owed a great deal to her devotion.

This was too much for Charlotte. She bubbled over. "You must be mad!" Her voice was like the croak of a raven.

"Personally," rejoined his mellifluous Grace, "I am particularly grateful that she has consented to stay on."

"You're mad, my friend."

"So are we all." His Grace folded the Times imperturbably.

Lady Wargrave was defeated. She abruptly decided to drop the subject. However, she did not quit the room until one last bolt had been winged at her adversary, yet in order to propel it she had to impose an iron restraint on her feelings.

"Before I go"—she turned as she got to the door—"there's something else I should like to say. Jack's mother is in town and is staying with me. Like all the Parington's she has plenty of sense. She will welcome the Marjorie arrangement—thinks it quite providential—has told her son so—and she looks to you as the head of the Family to see that it doesn't miscarry."

Her brother's ugly mouth and explosive eyes were not lost upon Charlotte, but before he could reply she had made a strategic retirement. Did these futile women expect him to play the matrimonial agent? The mere suggestion was infuriating, yet well he knew the extreme urgency of the matter. The whole situation called for