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Page 65
Harriet would only sob, and accuse her brother of
insulting her; how could a lady speak to such a horrible
man? That, and nothing else, was enough to stamp Caroline.
Oh, poor Lilia!
Philip drummed on the bedroom window-sill. He saw no
escape from the deadlock. For though he spoke cheerfully
about his second interview with Gino, he felt at the bottom
of his heart that it would fail. Gino was too courteous: he
would not break off negotiations by sharp denial; he loved
this civil, half-humorous bargaining. And he loved fooling
his opponent, and did it so nicely that his opponent did not
mind being fooled.
"Miss Abbott has behaved extraordinarily," he said at
last; "but at the same time--"
His sister would not hear him. She burst forth again on
the madness, the interference, the intolerable duplicity of
Caroline.
"Harriet, you must listen. My dear, you must stop
crying. I have something quite important to say."
"I shall not stop crying," said she. But in time,
finding that he would not speak to her, she did stop.
"Remember that Miss Abbott has done us no harm. She
said nothing to him about the matter. He assumes that she
is working with us: I gathered that."
"Well, she isn't."
"Yes; but if you're careful she may be. I interpret her
behaviour thus: She went to see him, honestly intending to
get the child away. In the note she left me she says so,
and I don't believe she'd lie."
"I do."
"When she got there, there was some pretty domestic
scene between him and the baby, and she has got swept off in
a gush of sentimentalism. Before very long, if I know
anything about psychology, there will be a reaction. She'll
be swept back."
"I don't understand your long words. Say plainly--"
"When she's swept back, she'll be invaluable. For she
has made quite an impression on him. He thinks her so nice
with the baby. You know, she washed it for him."
"Disgusting!"
Harriet's ejaculations were more aggravating than the
rest of her. But Philip was averse to losing his temper.
The access of joy that had come to him yesterday in the
theatre promised to be permanent. He was more anxious than
heretofore to be charitable towards the world.
"If you want to carry off the baby, keep your peace with
Miss Abbott. For if she chooses, she can help you better
than I can."
"There can be no peace between me and her," said Harriet
gloomily.
"Did you--"
"Oh, not all I wanted. She went away before I had
finished speaking--just like those cowardly people! --into the
church."
"Into Santa Deodata's?"
"Yes; I'm sure she needs it. Anything more unchristian--"
In time Philip went to the church also, leaving his
sister a little calmer and a little disposed to think over
his advice. What had come over Miss Abbott? He had always
thought her both stable and sincere. That conversation he
had had with her last Christmas in the train to Charing
Cross--that alone furnished him with a parallel. For the
second time, Monteriano must have turned her head. He was
not angry with her, for he was quite indifferent to the
outcome of their expedition. He was only extremely interested.
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