Captain Desmond, V.C. Part 61

But Honor was not in the drawing-room; and Evelyn knocked timidly at her door.

"Come in," the low voice sounded from the other side. The girl was standing before the looking-gla.s.s, pinning on her hat.

"I was going across to ask after Mr Bradley," she explained, completing the operation before looking round. But at sight of Evelyn's face she hurried forward, holding out her arms.

"Dearest, what _has_ happened to make you look like that?"

"Everything's happened! It's all finished between Theo and me. Broken up. He said so--and--I'm going away. There are--other people who care.

I won't stay with a man who doesn't love me--or trust me----"

But Honor, holding her closer, looked searchingly into her face.

"Evelyn, that is _not true!_"

"Well, he said so. And _he_ doesn't tell lies!"

"Oh, you poor, poor child!" Honor murmured, kissing her with a strange fervour of sympathy. "But tell me--what's the reason of all this? If Theo did say such terrible things, he must have been cruelly hurt or very angry----"

"He was--very angry. I'm sure he won't forgive me this time; and I do believe it would be better all round if I went right away and left him in peace with his polo and his squadron and his precious Frontier Force----"

Honor's hand closed her lips. "My dear! Are you _quite_ mad?"

"No. But I think I will be--very soon."

She spoke with such tragic certainty that the girl smiled in spite of herself. "Why? What have you done? Tell me--quick!"

"Oh! It's not _me_ that's done," Evelyn declared with her engaging air of injured innocence. "It's other people--Major Wyndham, I believe--making remarks to him about me and--Mr Kresney."

"You've been _there_ again. I was half afraid----"

"Why on earth shouldn't I? But now Theo's simply ordered me to drop them. It's quite impossible. I--I told him so."

"And you did not tell him why?"

"No. That would have been worse than all."

"But you will tell _me_. You must--if I am to help you."

Evelyn regarded her with a misty smile. "You're very wonderful, Honor.

But even _you_ can't help now. You see--it's money----"

"Money? How? What?"

"Promise you won't stop loving me and be angry--like Theo was," Evelyn pleaded, the incurable child flas.h.i.+ng out in the midst of her distress. "I've had enough for to-day."

"I promise, dear. Go on."

Then the small sordid tragedy came out in broken s.n.a.t.c.hes, to the last particle. For once in her life Evelyn Desmond spoke the unvarnished truth, adorning nothing, extenuating nothing; and Honour listened in an enigmatical silence--a silence which held even after the last word had been spoken. Evelyn looked up at her nervously.

"Honour, you _are_ angry inside. I can see you are."

"No,--I am not angry," Honor answered slowly. "Where would be the use?

I am simply--astounded that you could _dare_ to run such risks with the love of a man who is one among a thousand."

She spoke the last words with unguarded enthusiasm; not perceiving, till they were out, the intent look on Evelyn's face.

"I knew you were friends with Theo, Honor," she said, "but I never thought you admired him as much--as all _that_."

The girl caught the note of jealousy, and coloured to the roots of her hair.

"I am not alone in my opinion," she said with an uneasy laugh. "There are dozens of others who would say no less. It is only that I want you to realise your good fortune before it is too late."

"But it _is_ too late. If he's angry now he'll be furious when he knows. And unless I go away he will _have_ to know."

"You shall not go away. And he must never know. He has suffered enough as it is----"

"Haven't _I_ suffered just as much? You always think of him----"

"I am thinking of you both. How much is it that you still owe these Kresneys?"

"A hundred and fifty--no, two hundred. And I can't possibly pay it for months and months."

By this time Honor had crossed to the chest of drawers near her bed and had taken out a small j.a.panned cash-box. Evelyn watched her movements with ecstatic enlightenment.

"Honor--what _are_ you going to do?" she asked breathlessly.

But the girl neither answered nor turned her head. She took out a small sheaf of notes, locked the cash-box, and put it away. Then taking an envelope from her rack, she sealed and addressed it, while Evelyn leaned against the dressing-table, white and speechless from the shock of relief.

"The whole amount is in there," Honor said, handing her the envelope, and speaking in a repressed voice. "Luckily I had hardly touched my month's money. This makes you free to do as Theo wishes. I don't want a penny of it back--ever. And Theo is never to know anything about the whole transaction. Promise me that; and don't _dare_ to break your word."

"I promise faithfully. Oh, Honor, you are my good angel! Shall I take it now--at once?"

"No. Not you. I must go myself. It ought to be delivered to him in person, and I must have a stamped receipt."

"Honor, how horrid! Just as if he were a shop! Besides--n.o.body but _me_ can give it--or explain----"

"How can you explain? What will you say?"

"Just whatever comes into my head. Married women understand these sort of things. I shall know what to say--at the time."

"So will he. And then----"

"There you go!" Tears threatened again and her voice shook. "You talk about loving me and you don't trust me any more than Theo does. If I mayn't do this my own way I won't take the money at all."

"Don't talk nonsense, child," Honor cried desperately, her own self-control almost at an end. "You _must_ take it. And if you insist on running risks with your eyes open, there's no more to be said except make haste and get the wretched thing done with. Go at once, in your jhampan--and _don't_ leave it. Ask for Miss Kresney; and--shop or no shop--mind you get a proper receipt. Then come straight home and tell Theo you will do what he wishes. He will have had time to think things over and it will be all right. I know it will. Perhaps you would like me to speak of it to him, if I get the chance?"

"Yes--yes. Do, please! You dear, wonderful Honor! I don't know how to say thank you enough----"

But Honor disengaged herself something hurriedly. The ache of rebellion at her heart made Evelyn's effusiveness unendurable.