"So we can--you won't forget, and I shall expect to see you often and soon, mind."
And so for the present they parted, Dives politely seeing him to the head of the stairs.
"I think he entertains it," said Sir Jekyl to his brother.
"Yes, certainly, he does--yes, he entertains it. But I suspect he's a cunning fellow, and you'll want all the help you can get, Jekyl, if it comes to settling a bargain."
"I dare say," said Sir Jekyl, very tired.
Meanwhile our friend Varbarriere was passing through the conservatory, the outer door of which stood open ever so little, tempering the warmth of its artificial atmosphere. He stopped before a file of late exotics, looking at them with a grave meaning smile, and smelling at them abstractedly.
"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Selfish rogue! Could it be? A wedding, in which Guy, the son of that murdered friend, should act bridegroom, and the daughter of his murderer, bride; while he, the murderer, stood by smiling, and I, the witness, cried 'Amen' to the blessing! _Disgusting!_ Never, _never_--bah! The proposition shows weakness. Good--_very_ good! A come-down for you, Master Jekyl, when you sue for an alliance with Herbert Strangways! Oh! ho! ho! _Never!_"
A little while later, Varbarriere, who was standing at the hall-door steps, saw a chaise approaching. He felt a presentiment of what was coming. It pulled up at the door.
"No melodrama--no _fracas_--no foolery. Those young turkeys, my faith! they will be turkeys still. Here he comes, the hero of the piece! Well, what does it matter?" This was not articulated, spoken only in thought, and aloud he said--
And the young man was on the ground in a moment, pale and sad, and hesitated deferentially, not knowing how his uncle might receive him.
"So, here you are," said Varbarriere, coolly but not ill-humouredly. "Those rambles of yours are not much to the purpose, my friend, and cost some money--don't you see?"
Guy bowed sadly, and looked, Varbarriere saw, really distressed.
"Well, never mind--the expense need not trouble us," said Varbarriere, carelessly extending his hand, which Guy took. "We may be very good friends in a moderate way; and I'm not sorry you came, on the whole. Don't mind going in for a few minutes--you're very well--and let us come this way for a little."