It would be a bit of a strain on me to stay."

"I know, my dear," I said. "The car is at your service."

"Oh, no! I'll go by train."

"You'll do as you're told, young woman, and go by car."

At this rubbishy speech, the tears, for the first time, came into her
eyes. She pulled down my shoulders--I am rather lank and tall--and
kissed me.

"You're a dear," she said, and went off in search of Barbara.

I returned to my library, rang the bell, and gave orders for the
chauffeur to stand at Mrs. Boldero's disposal. Then I sat down at a
loose end, very much like a young professional man, doctor or
estate-agent, waiting for the next client. And like the young
professional man at a loose end, I made a pretence of looking through
papers. Presently I became aware that I only had to open a window in
order to summon a couple of clients at once. For there in the gathering
November dusk and in the rain--it had ceased pouring, but it was
drizzling, and therefore it was rain--I saw our pair of delectable
savages strolling across the wet, sodden lawn, in loverlike proximity,
for all the world as though it were a flowery mead in May. I might have
summoned them, but it would have been an unprofessional thing to do.
Instead, I drew my curtains and turned on the light, and continued to
wait. I waited a long time. At last Barbara rushed in.

"Doria's ready."

"You've heard all about it?" She nodded. "I said there would be no
marriage," I remarked blandly.

"You said she wouldn't marry him. I said she would. And so she would, if
he had let her. I know you're prepared to argue," she said, rather
excitedly, "but it's no use. I was right all the time."

I yielded.

"You're always right, my dear," said I.

* * * * *

That is practically all, up to the present, that I have to tell you
about Jaffery. What words passed between him and Liosha in the
drawing-room I have never known. Jaffery, with conscience still sore,
and childishly anxious that I should not account him a traitor and a
scoundrel, and a brute too despicable for human touch, told me, as I
have already stated, over and over again, until I yawned for weariness
in the small hours of the morning, what had taken place in his
staggering interview with Doria; but as regards Liosha, he was shyly
evasive. After all, I fancy, it was a very simple affair. She had told
me bluntly that when the two men, Jaffery and Prescott, rode into the
scene of Bal