|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 42
Collingwood was not sure if the clerk was fishing for information.
Pratt's manner was always polite, his questions so innocently put, that
it was difficult to know what he was actually after. But he was not
going to give him any information--either then, or at any time.
"I don't quite know what my arrangements may be," he answered. And just
then they came to the front entrance, and Collingwood was taken off in
one direction by a footman, while Pratt, who already seemed to be fully
acquainted with the house and its arrangements, took himself and his bag
away in another.
Nesta came to Collingwood looking less anxious than when he had left her
at his last call the night before. He had already told her what his
impressions of the inquest were, and he was now wondering whether to
tell her of the things he had heard said at the village inn. But
remembering that he was now going to stay in the neighbourhood, he
decided to say nothing at that time--if there was anything in these
vague feelings and suspicions it would come out, and could be dealt with
when it arose. At present he had need of a little diplomacy.
"Oh!--I wanted to tell you," he said, after talking to her awhile about
Mrs. Mallathorpe. "I--there's a change in my arrangements, I'm not going
to India, after all."
He was not prepared for the sudden flush that came over the girl's face.
It took him aback. It also told him a good deal that he was glad to
know--and it was only by a strong effort of will that he kept himself
from taking her hands and telling her the truth. But he affected not to
see anything, and he went on talking rapidly. "Complete change in the
arrangements at the last minute," he said. "I've just been writing about
it. So--as that's off, I think I shall follow Eldrick's advice, and take
chambers in Barford for a time, and see how things turn out. I'm going
into Barford now, to see Eldrick about all that."
Nesta, who was conscious of her betrayal of more than she cared to show
just then, tried to speak calmly.
"But--isn't it an awful disappointment?" she said. "You were looking
forward so to going there, weren't you?"
"Can't be helped," replied Collingwood. "All these affairs
are--provisional. I thought I'd tell you at once, however--so that
you'll know--if you ever want me--that I shall be somewhere round about.
In fact, as it's quite comfortable there, I shall stop at the inn until
I've got rooms in the town."
Then, not trusting himself to remain longer, he went off to Barford,
certain that he was now definitely pledged in his own mind to Nesta
Mallathorpe, and not much less that when the right time came she would
not be irresponsive to him. And on that, like a cold douche, came the
remembrance of her actual circumstances--she was what Eldrick had said,
one of the wealthiest young women in Yorkshire. The thought of her
riches made Collingwood melancholy for a while--he possessed a curious
sort of pride which made him hate and loathe the notion of being taken
for a fortune-hunter. But suddenly, and with a laugh, he remembered that
he had certain possessions of his own--ability, knowledge, and
perseverance. Before he reached Eldrick's office, he had had a vision of
the Woolsack.
Eldrick received Collingwood's news with evident gratification. He
immediately suggested certain chambers in an adjacent building; he
volunteered information as to where the best rooms in the town were to
be had. And in proof of his practical interest in Collingwood's career,
he there and then engaged his professional services for two cases which
were to be heard at a local court within the following week.
"Pratt shall deliver the papers to you at once," he said. "That is, as
soon as he's back from Normandale this afternoon. I sent him there again
to make himself useful."
"I saw him this morning," remarked Collingwood. "He appears to be a very
useful person."
"Clever chap," asserted Eldrick, carelessly. "I don't know what'll be
done about that stewardship that he was going to apply for. Everything
will be altered now that young Mallathorpe's dead. Of course, I,
personally, shouldn't have thought that Pratt would have done for a job
like that, but Pratt has enough self-assurance and self-confidence for a
dozen men, and he thought he would do, and I couldn't refuse him a
testimonial. And as he's made himself very useful out there, it may be
that if this steward business goes forward, Pratt will get the
appointment. As I say, he's a smart chap."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|