The Master of the Ceremonies Part 94

Mrs Barclay sat with wide-open eyes to the very end, and then, in the midst of the terrible silence, she took out a violently-scented pocket-handkerchief, and wiped the dew from her brow, as she said softly:

"Oh, my gracious me!"

"It has driven me nearly mad," cried Claire, wringing her hands, "and while I stay here something terrible may have happened. I must go--I must go."

"No, no; sit still, my dear," cried Mrs Barclay, drawing her back to her side, and speaking in a quick, businesslike way. "I was quite knocked over by what you said. My poor, dear child! Is there to be no end to your troubles? But there, we mustn't talk nonsense, but act sensibly. This is like a smash--a sort of bankruptcy, only it's what Jo-si-ah would call social and not monetary. There, there, it's a terrible business, but I'm glad you've had the courage to tell me. Oh, my dear, I've always said to Jo-si-ah that she was a wicked little thing who was getting you into trouble. But let that go. Now, then, what to do first? Your poor father don't know a word?"

"I have not dared to tell him."

"No, and you've been screening her, and taking care of that little one, and--dear--dear--what a world this is! Tut--tut--tut! I am doing nothing but talk. Now, look here, Claire; the first thing that strikes me is that she must be got away--right away--for the present."

"Yes, yes; but how?" cried Claire.

"Jo-si-ah shall settle that."

"Mr Barclay!" cried Claire in terror.

"To be sure, my dear. We want a strong man to act in a case like this.

Your sister must be got away somewhere, and you must go with her. You had both better go to-night. No one shall know where you are but Jo-si-ah and me, and you can take care of her until Jo-si-ah has told your father all about it."

"Yes," sighed Claire, as her companion's calm, businesslike manner impressed her.

"If we tell him first he will do no good, poor man, only be horribly upset, and there'll be no end of scenes, and no business done."

Claire acquiesced with a look.

"Then Jo-si-ah can settle it all with your father and Mr Burnett, and this Mr Gravani, what is to be done in a businesslike way. There, there, let me finish. The weak little thing has got herself into this dreadful tangle, and what we have to do is to get her out the best way we can. It's of no use to be sentimental and sit down and cry; we must act like women."

Claire looked at her in admiration, astounded by her friend's calm, businesslike manner.

"Now, perhaps, my dear, my Jo-si-ah may upset all my plans by proposing something better; but, as far as I see it now, you had better go straight off to your sister May--it will soon be dusk--and bring her here. I'll be ready and waiting, and I'll go with you both to the coach. You had better put on veils, and we'll go right away to London.

It's the best place to hide, as my Jo-si-ah knows with the people who don't pay him. Yes, that's best. I'll go with you."

"You will go with us, Mrs Barclay?"

"Of course, I shall, my dear, and stay with you till you're out of your trouble, and Jo-si-ah has finished the business. Did you think I was a fine-weather friend?"

Claire could not speak; her kisses and clinging arms spoke her thanks.

"Yes, that's as far as I can see it, and we must be quick."

She rose to go to the bell.

"What are you going to do?" cried Claire, in alarm.

"Ring for Jo-si-ah, and to send our Joseph to book three seats for the coach."

"But Mr Barclay? Must you tell him--now?" faltered Claire.

"Why, of course, my dear, or we may be too late. Do you know that some one else is evidently making plans?"

"What do you mean?" cried Claire excitedly.

"We know a great deal here, my dear. My husband has to keep an eye upon the slippery people who borrow money of him; and there was a hint brought here to-day that a certain gentleman was going to elope to-night with a certain lady, and the idea was that you were the lady. We know it was Sir Harry Payne."

Claire caught at her friend's arm as she went on.

"But I said 'No;' it is only a miserable scandal, based upon that wretched business at your house. 'It's Mrs Burnett,' I said, 'if it's anyone.' Claire, my dear, she is in this dreadful fix, and she is going off to-night with that fop to escape from it."

Claire's lips parted as she looked at the speaker in horror, realising it all now, and reading May's excuse to gain time.

For a moment the deceit and cruelty of the act seemed too horrible; but she was now thoroughly realising the nature of her sister, and was so agitated that she felt almost paralysed as she stood gazing straight before her.

"I cannot believe it, Mrs Barclay," she said at last. "It is too terrible. My poor sister would never be so base."

"Go at once, my dear. Stand no nonsense with the little thing. I'll settle it all with my Jo-si-ah. You bring her here."

Claire was white as ashes now, as she caught Mrs Barclay's hands and kissed them.

"No, no, my dear; not my hands. There, go, and heaven bless you. We'll help you through it, never fear."

She folded Claire in her arms for a moment, and then hurried with her downstairs, and let her out.

"One moment, my dear," she whispered, detaining her, to thrust her purse in her hand. "Stop for nothing. Bring her here; drag her if she says she will not come. Say anything, but bring her here."

"Ah!" sighed Mrs Barclay, as she watched Claire disappear down the street, and then closed the door. "Now for Jo-si-ah."

Volume Three, Chapter V.

THE MASTER OF THE CEREMONIES IS STUNG.

Josiah Barclay was in his business room when his wife returned, panting and wiping her eyes, and he gave her one of his grim looks.

"Well, old woman, I was right, wasn't I?"

"No, Jo-si-ah."

"Then you didn't get it all out of her?"

"Oh, yes, everything, dear. She told me all, and it is that wicked-- wicked little woman, May."

She told him all that had pa.s.sed, and he stood and stared at her, blowing out his cheeks, and then looking his hardest.

"Let me see," he said, when she had done speaking. "May Burnett is, of course, my own child by my first wife."

"Jo-si-ah! Why, you never had no first wife."

"Nonsense, woman."