Meanwhile his inner mind was full of an acrid debate which turned
entirely upon his interview with Ashe of the day before. No doubt, as an
old friend, aware of Lady Kitty's excitable character, he might have
felt it his duty to go straight to Ashe,
coute que coute, and warn
him of what was going on. But what encouragement had been given him to
play so Quixotic a part? Why should he take any particular thought for
Ashe's domestic peace, or Ashe's public place? What consideration had
Ashe shown for
him? "Tu l'as voulu, Georges Dandin!"
So it ended in his promising to take the MS. to London with him, and let
Lady Kitty know the result of his inquiries. Kitty's dancing step as
they returned to the house betrayed the height of her spirits.
* * * * *
A rumor flew round the house towards the middle of the day that Harry,
the little heir, was worse. Kitty did not appear at luncheon, and the
doctor was sent for. Before he came, it was known only to Margaret
French that Kitty had escaped by herself from the house and could not be
found. Ashe and Lady Tranmore saw the doctor, who prescribed, and would
not admit that there was any cause for alarm.
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