CHAPTER IX
THE RUNAWAY COLT
"It really is very tiresome," complained Lady Grace. "I knew that childwas going to be a nuisance from the very outset."
"What has she done now?" growled the Colonel.
He was lounging in the easiest chair in the room, smoking an excellentcigar, preparatory to indulging in his afternoon nap. His wife reclinedupon a sofa with a French novel which she had not begun to read. Throughthe great windows that opened on to the balcony the sunshine streamed ina flood of golden light. Rose was seated on the balcony enjoying thewarmth. Lady Grace's eyes rested upon her slim figure in its scarlet coatas she made reply.
"These people--these Studleys--won't leave her alone. Or else she runsafter them. I can't quite make out which. Probably the latter. Anyhow thesister--who, I believe is what is termed slightly mental--has asked herto go to tea in their private sitting-room. I have told her she mustdecline."
"Quite right," said the Colonel. "What did she say?"
Lady Grace uttered a little laugh. "Oh, she was very ridiculous andhigh-flown, as you may imagine. But, as I told her, I am directlyresponsible to her mother for any friendships she may make out here, andI am not disposed to take any risks. We all know what Mrs. Bathurst canbe like if she considers herself an injured party."
"A perfect she-dragon!" agreed the Colonel. "I fancy the child herself isstill kept in order with the rod. Why, even Bathurst--great hulkingox--is afraid of her. Billy isn't, but then Billy apparently can do nowrong."
"She certainly loves no one else," said Lady Grace. "I never met anyonewith such an absolutely vixenish and uncontrolled temper. I am sorry forDinah. I have always pitied her, for she certainly works hard, and getslittle praise for it. But at the same time, I can't let her run wild nowshe is off the rein for a little. It wouldn't be right. And these peopleare total strangers."
"I believe they are of very good family," said the Colonel. "The title isan old one, and Sir Eustace is evidently a rich man. I had theopportunity for a little talk with the brother yesterday evening. A verycourteous little chap--quite unusually so. I think we may regard them asquite passable." His eyes also wandered to the graceful, lounging figureon the balcony. "At the same time I shouldn't let Dinah accepthospitality from them, anyhow at this stage. She is full young. She mustbe content to stay in the background--at least for the present."
"Just what I say," said Lady Grace. "Of course if the younger brothershould take a fancy to her--and he certainly seems to be attracted--itmight be a very excellent thing for her. Her mother can't hope to keepher as maid of all work for ever. But I can't have her pushing herselfforward. I was very glad to hear you reprimand her so severely thismorning."
"She deserved it," said the Colonel judicially. "But at the same time ifthere is any chance of what you suggest coming to pass, I have no wish tostand in the child's way. I have a fancy that she will find the bondageat home considerably more irksome after this taste of freedom. It might,as you say, be a good thing for her if the little chap did fall in lovewith her. Her mother can't expect much of a match for her."
"Oh, if that really happened, her mother would be charmed," said LadyGrace. "She is a queer, ill-balanced creature, and I don't believe shehas ever had the smallest affection for her. She would be delighted toget her off her hands, I should say. But things mustn't move too quickly,or they may go in the wrong direction." Again her eyes sought herdaughter's graceful outline. "You say Sir Eustace is rich?" she asked,after a moment.
"Extremely rich, I should say. He has his own yacht, a house in town aswell as a large place in the country, and he will probably get a seat inParliament at the next election. I'm not greatly taken with the manmyself," declared Colonel de Vigne. "He is too overbearing. At the sametime," again his eyes followed his wife's, "he would no doubt be aconsiderable catch."
"I don't mean Dinah to have Sir Eustace," said Lady Grace very decidedly."It would be most unsuitable. Yes, what is it?" as a low knock came atthe door. "Come in!"
It opened, and Dinah, looking flushed and rather uncertain, made herappearance.
"I wish you would have the consideration not to disturb us at this hour,my dear Dinah," said Lady Grace peevishly. "What is it you want now?"
"I am sorry," said Dinah meekly. "But I heard your voices, so I knew youweren't asleep. I just came in to say that Billy and I are going lugingif you don't mind."
"What next?" said Lady Grace, still fretful. "Of course I don't mind solong as you don't get up to mischief."
"Dinah, come here!" said the Colonel suddenly.
Dinah, on the point of beating a swift retreat, stood still with obviousreluctance.
"Come here!" he repeated.
She went to him hesitatingly.
He reached up a hand and grasped her by the arm. "Were you eavesdroppingjust now?" he demanded.
Dinah started as if stung. "I--I--of course I wasn't!" she declared, withvehemence. "How can you suggest such a thing?"
"Quite sure?" said the Colonel, still holding her.
She wrenched herself from him in a sudden fury. "Colonel de Vigne,you--you insult me! I am not the sort that listens outside closed doors.How dare you? How dare you?"
She stamped her foot with the words, gazing down at him with blazingeyes.
The Colonel stiffened slightly, but he kept his temper. "If I have doneyou an injustice, I apologize," he said. "You may go."
And Dinah went like a whirlwind, banging the door behind her.
"Well, really!" protested Lady Grace in genuine displeasure.
Her husband smiled somewhat grimly. "A vixen's daughter, my dear! Whatcan you expect?"
"She behaves like a fishwife's daughter," said Lady Grace. "And if shewasn't actually eavesdropping I am convinced she heard what I said."
"So am I," said the Colonel drily. "I was about to tax her with it. Henceher masterly retreat. But she was not deliberately eavesdropping or shewould not have given herself away so openly. I quite agree with you, mydear. A match between her and Sir Eustace would not be suitable. And Ialso think Sir Eustace would be the first to see it. Anyhow, I shall takean early opportunity of letting him know that her birth is by no means ahigh one, and that her presence here is simply due to our kindness. Atthe same time, should the rather ludicrous little younger brother take itinto his head to follow her up, so far as family goes he is of course toogood for her, but I am sorry for the child and I shall put no obstacle inthe way."
"All the same she shall not go to tea there unless Rose is invited too,"said Lady Grace firmly.
"There," said the Colonel pompously, "I think that you are right."
Lady Grace simpered a little, and opened her novel. "It really wouldn'tsurprise me to find that she is a born fortune-hunter," she said. "I amcertain the mother is avaricious."
"The mother," said Colonel de Vigne with the deliberation of one arrivedat an unalterable decision, "is the most disagreeable, vulgar, and whollyobjectionable person that I have ever met."
"Oh, quite," said Lady Grace. "If she were in our set, she would bealtogether intolerable. But--thank heaven--she is not! Now, dear, if youdon't mind, I am going to read myself to sleep. I have promised Rose togo to the ice carnival to-night, and I need a little relaxation first."
"I suppose Dinah is going?" said the Colonel.
"Oh, yes. But she is nothing of a skater." Lady Grace suddenly broke intoa little laugh. "I wonder if the redoubtable Mrs. Bathurst does reallybeat her when she is naughty. It would be excellent treatment for her,you know."
"I haven't a doubt of it," said the Colonel. "She is absolutely under hermother's control. That great raw-boned woman would have a heavy hand too,I'll be bound."
"Oh, there is no doubt Dinah stands very much in awe of her. I never knewshe had any will of her own till she came here. I always took her for themeekest little creature imaginable."
"There is a good deal more in Miss Dinah than jumps to the eye," said theColonel. "In fact, if you ask me, I should say she
is something of a darkhorse. She is just beginning to feel her feet and she'll surprise us allone of these days by turning into a runaway colt."
"Not, I do hope, while she is in my charge," said Lady Grace.
"We will hope not," agreed the Colonel. "But all the same, I rather thinkthat her mother will find her considerably less tame and tractable whenshe sees her again than she has ever been before. Liberty, you know, is adangerous joy for the young."
"Then we must be more strict with her ourselves," said Lady Grace.