hour.
If Claire had slept badly, why didn't she order breakfast in her room,
and spend the morning in bed?

"You look a wreck!" she said frankly, and threw down the paper with an
impatient gesture. "Such a nuisance about this bad news. Erskine seems
disgusted with the whole affair. He has gone off with Major Carew to
see what can be done, and is to go straight to the Willoughbys. So
tiresome, for I particularly wanted him to be in good form this
afternoon! What's it all about? As it has happened in my house, I
think I am entitled to an explanation. Something to do with Major
Carew's servant? How can your friend be associated with a servant? The
man has bolted, it appears. The Major came over half an hour ago to say
that he never returned last night. Thought flight the best policy, I
suppose, but what I am waiting to be told, is--what has he _done_?"

Claire sat down on the nearest chair, feeling more of a wreck than ever.

"Deserted! A soldier! But if he is found? The punishment..."

"He has already been found out, it appears, so that it was a choice
between certain punishment if he stayed, or the chance of getting safely
away. I am waiting to hear what it's all about!"

"Oh, Mrs Fanshawe, it's so difficult. It's not my secret!" cried poor
Claire desperately. "He, this man, has been masquerading under his
master's name. My friend knew him as Major Carew. She, they, became
very intimate."

"Engaged, I suppose! It doesn't say much for her discrimination. Her
ideas of what constitute a gentleman must be somewhat vague!" Mrs
Fanshawe said disagreeably. She felt disagreeable, and she never made
any effort to conceal her feelings, kindly or the reverse. It was
annoying that one of her own guests should be mixed up in an unsavoury
scandal with a common soldier: annoying to have people going about with
long faces, when she had planned a festive week. Really this Claire
Gifford was becoming more and more of an incumbrance! Mrs Fanshawe
paused with her hand on the coffee-pot, to ask a pointed question--

"Have _you_ also known this man under his false name, may I ask?"

Claire flushed uncomfortably.

"I met him twice. Only twice. For a very short time."

Mrs Fanshawe did not speak, but she arched her eyebrows in a fashion
which was more scorching than words. "So you, also, are ignorant of
what constitutes a gentleman!" said those eyebrows. "You also have been
including my friend's servant