Page:Walpole - Fortitude.djvu/403

 He wanted to tell her not to call him “Peter dear”—she loved to put him in positions that showed him in the worst light to Clare.

At luncheon for instance: “Peter dear, it would be a nice thing for you and Clare to go to that Private View at the Carfax this afternoon. You've nothing to do, Clare, have you?”

Peter knew that Mrs. Rossiter had already ascertained that he was engaged. He knew also that Clare had had no thought of Peter's company before but that now she would very speedily feel herself injured.

“I'm afraid—” Peter would begin.

“Peter's too engaged to take you, Clare dear.”

“I dare say Jerry will come—” this from Clare.

“Ah! yes, Mr. Cardillac is always ready to take any trouble, Peter.”

“If you'd let me know earlier, Clare, that you wanted me.”

Mrs. Rossiter. “Oh! don't put yourself out, Peter. It would never do to break an engagement. Only it seems such a long time since you and Clare—”

Peter. “We'll go to-morrow afternoon, Clare.”

Clare. “You're so gloomy when you do come, Peter. It's like going out with a ghost.”

Mrs. Rossiter. “Ah! Peter has his work, dear—so much hangs on the next book, doesn't it, Peter.” Naturally the last one didn't quite—”

Peter. “Look here, Clare, I'll chuck this engagement.”

Clare. “No, thank you, Peter—Jerry and I will be all right. You can join us if you like—”

The fact was that Peter wasn't tactful. He showed Mrs. Rossiter much too plainly that he disliked her intensely. He had no idea that he showed it her. He thought, indeed, that he was very skilful in his disguise of his feelings but Mrs. Rossiter knew and soon Clare knew also.

Peter had no conception of subtlety in the matter. It was clear to him that he had once been devoted to Clare and she to him, it was clear also that that relationship had recently been dimmed. Now that Stephen was gone that early intimacy must be restored and the fact that he was