RECOGNITION
Lucy and Mrs. Jasher were having a confidential conversation in the small pink drawing-room. True to her promise, Miss Kendal had come to readjust matters between the fiery little Professor and the widow. But it was not an easy task, as Mrs. Jasher was righteously indignant at the rash words used to her.
"As if I knew anything about the matter," she repeated again and again in angry tones. "Why, my dear, he as good as told me I had murdered - "Lucy did not let her finish.
"There! there!" she said, speaking as she would have done to a fretful child, "you know what my father is.""It seems to me that I am just beginning to learn," said the widow bitterly, "and knowing how ready he is to believe ill of me, I think it is better we should part for ever.""But you'll never be Lady Braddock."
"Even if I married him, I am not sure that I should be, since Ilearn that his brother is singularly healthy and comes of a long-lived family. And it will not be pleasant to live with your father when he has such a temper.""That was only because he was excited. Think of your salon, and of the position you wish to hold in, London.""Ah, well," said Mrs. Jasher, visibly softening, "there is something to be said there. After all, one can never find a man who is perfection. And a very amiable man is usually a fool.
One can't expect a rose to be without thorns. But really, my dear," she surveyed Lucy with mild surprise, "you appear to be very anxious that I should marry your father.""I want to see my father made comfortable before I marry Archie,"said the girl with a blush. "Of course my father is quite a child in household affairs and needs everything done for him.
Archie - I am glad to say - is now in a position to marry me in the spring. I want you to, be married about the same time, and then you can live in Gartley, and - ""No, my dear," said Mrs. Jasher firmly, "if I marry your father, he wishes us to go at once to Egypt in search of this tomb.""I know that he wants you to help with the money left to you by your late brother. But surely you will not go up the Nile yourself?""No, certainly not," said the widow promptly. "I shall remain in Cairo while the Professor goes on his excursion into Ethiopia. Iknow that Cairo is a very charming place, and that I shall be able to enjoy myself there.""Then you have decided to forgive my father for his rash words?""I must," sighed Mrs. Jasher. "I am so tired of being an unprotected widow without a recognized position in the world.
Even with my brother's money, - not that it is so very much - Ishall still be looked upon askance if I go into society. But as Mrs. Braddock, or Lady Braddock, no one will dare to say a word against me. Yes, my dear, if your father comes and, asks my pardon he shall have it. We women are so weak," ended the widow virtuously, as if she was not making a virtue of necessity.
Things being thus settled, the two talked on amiably for some time, and discussed the chances of Random marrying Donna Inez.
Both acknowledged that the Peruvian lady was handsome enough, but had not a word to say for herself.
While thus chattering, Professor Braddock trotted into the room, looking brisk and bright from his stroll in the cold frosty air.
Gifted as he was with scientific assurance, the little man was not at all taken aback by the cold reception of Mrs. Jasher, but rubbed his hands cheerfully.
"Ah, there you are, Selina," said he, looking like a bright-eyed robin. "I hope you are feeling well.""How can you expect me to feel well after what you said?"remarked Mrs. Jasher reproachfully, and anxious to make a virtue of forgiveness.
"Oh, I beg pardon: I beg pardon. Surely, Selina, you are not going to make a fuss over a trifle like that?""I did not give you permission to call me Selina.""Quite so. But as we are to be married, I may as well get used to your Christian name, my dear.""I am not so sure that we will be married," said Mrs. Jasher stiffly.
"Oh, but we must," cried Braddock in dismay. "I am depending upon your money to finance my expedition to Queen Tahoser's tomb.""I see," observed the widow coldly, while Lucy sat quietly by and allowed the elder woman to conduct the campaign, "you want me for my money. There is no love in the question.""My dear, as soon as I have the time - say during our voyage to Cairo, whence we start inland up the Nile for Ethiopia - I shall make love whenever you like. And, confound it, Selina, I admire you no end - to use a slang phrase. You are a fine woman and a sensible woman, and I am afraid that you are throwing yourself away on a snuffy old man like myself.""Oh no! no! Pray do not say that," cried Mrs. Jasher, visibly moved by this flattery. "You will make a very good husband if you will only strive to govern your temper.""Temper! temper! Bless the woman - I mean you, Selina - I have the very best temper in the world. However, you shall govern it and myself also if you like. Come," he took her hand, "let us be friends and fix the wedding day."Mrs. Jasher did not withdraw her hand.
"Then you do not believe that I have anything to do with this terrible murder?" she asked playfully.
"No! no! I was heated last night. I spoke rashly and hastily.
Forgive and forget, Selina. You are innocent - quite innocent, in spite of the mummy being in your confounded garden. After all, the evidence is stronger against Random than against you.
Perhaps he put it there: it's on his way to the Fort, you see.
Never mind. He has exonerated himself, and no doubt, when confronted with Hervey, will be able to silence that blackguard.
And I am quite sure that Hervey is a blackguard," ended Braddock, rubbing his bald head.
The two ladies looked at one another in amazement, not knowing what to say. They were ignorant of the theft of the emeralds and of the accusation of Sir Frank by the Yankee skipper. But, with his usual absentmindedness, Braddock had forgotten all about that, and sat in his chair rubbing his head quite pink and rattling on cheerfully.
