Part 9 (1/2)

”How could I tell what you would do?” she calmly replied. ”You married me--wickedly, and used me wickedly afterwards; and I loved the child.”

”You loved the child,” he repeated after her. ”Lali,” he added, ”I don't deserve it, but forgive me, if you can--for the child's sake.”

”We had better go below,” she calmly replied. ”We have both duties to do. You will of course--appear with me--before them?”

The slight irony in the tone cut him horribly. He offered his arm in silence. They pa.s.sed on to the staircase.

”It is necessary,” she said, ”to appear cheerful before one's guests.”

She had him at an advantage at every point. ”We will be cheerful, then,”

was his reply, spoken with a grim kind of humour. ”You have learned it all, haven't you?” he added.

They were just entering the ballroom. ”Yes, with your kind help--and absence,” she replied.

The surprise of the guests was somewhat diminished by the fact that Marion, telling General Armour and his wife first of Frank's return, industriously sent the news buzzing about the room.

The two went straight to Frank's father and mother. Their parts were all excellently played. Then Frank mingled among the guests, being very heartily greeted, and heard congratulations on all sides. Old club friends rallied him as a deserter, and new acquaintances flocked about him; and presently he awakened to the fact that his Indian wife had been an interest of the season, was not the least admired person present.

It was altogether too good luck for him; but he had an uncomfortable conviction that he had a long path of penance to walk before he could hope to enjoy it.

All at once he met Lady Haldwell, who, in spite of all, still accepted invitations to General Armour's house--the strange scene between Lali and herself never having been disclosed to the family. He had nothing but bitterness in his heart for her, but he spoke a few smooth words, and she languidly congratulated him on his bronzed appearance. He asked for a dance, but she had not one to give him. As she was leaving, she suddenly turned as though she had forgotten something, and looking at him, said: ”I forgot to congratulate you on your marriage. I hope it is not too late?”

He bowed. ”Your congratulations are so sincere,” he said, ”that they would be a propos late or early.” When he stood with his wife whilst the guests were leaving, and saw with what manner she carried it all off,--as though she had been born in the good land of good breeding,--he was moved alternately with wonder and shame--shame that he had intended this n.o.ble creature as a sacrifice to his ugly temper and spite.

When all the guests were gone and the family stood alone in the drawing-room, a silence suddenly fell amongst them. Presently Marion said to her mother in a half-whisper, ”I wish Richard were here.”

They all felt the extreme awkwardness of the situation, especially when Lali bade General Armour, Mrs. Armour, and Marion good-night, and then, turning to her husband, said, ”Good-night”--she did not even speak his name. ”Perhaps you would care to ride to-morrow morning? I always go to the Park at ten, and this will be my last ride of the season.”

Had she written out an elaborate proclamation of her intended att.i.tude towards her husband, it could not have more clearly conveyed her mind than this little speech, delivered as to a most friendly acquaintance.

General Armour pulled his moustache fiercely, and, it is possible, enjoyed the situation, despite its peril. Mrs. Armour turned to the mantel and seemed tremulously engaged in arranging some bric-a-brac.

Marion, however, with a fine instinct, slid her arm through that of Lali, and gently said: ”Yes, of course Frank will be glad of a ride in the Park. He used to ride with me every morning. But let us go, us three, and kiss the baby good-night--'good-night till we meet in the morning.'”

She linked her arm now through Frank's, and as she did so he replied to Lali: ”I shall be glad to ride in the morning, but--”

”But we can arrange it at breakfast,” said his wife hurriedly. At the same time she allowed herself to be drawn away to the hall with her husband.

He was very angry, but he knew he had no right to be so. He choked back his wrath and moved on amiably enough, and suddenly the fas.h.i.+on in which the tables had been turned on him struck him with its tragic comedy, and he involuntarily smiled. His sense of humour saved him from words and acts which might possibly have made the matter a pure tragedy after all.

He loosed his arm from Marion's.

”I must bid father and mother good-night. Then I will join you both--'in the court of the king.'” And he turned and went back, and said to his father as he kissed his mother: ”I am had at an advantage, General.”

”And serves you right, my boy. You had the odds with you, but she has captured them like a born soldier.” His mother said to him gently: ”Frank, you blamed us, but remember that we wished only your good. Take my advice, dear, and try to love your wife and win her confidence.”

”Love her--try to love her!” he said. ”I shall easily do that. But the other--?” He shook his head a little, though what he meant perhaps he did not know quite himself, and then followed Marion and Lali upstairs.

Marion had tried to escape from Lali, but was told that she must stay; and the three met at the child's cot. Marion stooped down and kissed its forehead. Frank stooped also and kissed its cheek. Then the wife kissed the other cheek. The child slept peacefully on. ”You can always see the baby here before breakfast, if you choose,” said Lali; and she held out her hand again in good-night. At this point Marion stole away, in spite of Lah's quick little cry of ”Wait, Marion!” and the two were left alone again.

”I am very tired,” she said. ”I would rather not talk to-night.” The dismissal was evident.

He took her hand, held it an instant, and presently said: ”I will not detain you, but I would ask you, Lali, to remember that you are my wife.

Nothing can alter that.”