The two men exchanged some commonplace observations, and Barbara stood for a moment listening to them and joining in herself occasionally. Then, laying her hand on her husband’s shoulder, she said that she was tired and would go to her room, and the two men were left alone together. Leaning over the balcony, they lit their cigars and began to smoke. Carroll, who had been silent for a moment, spoke abruptly.
“You don’t mind if I speak openly, do you, Pelham?”
“Of course I don’t. But what do you mean? I hold no secrets.” As Pelham spoke he started and flushed—the memory of all his suspicions with regard to Piers rushed over him.
Carroll, who had been gazing fixedly at him, noticed his change of color.
“There are some ugly rumors about you in London. You had better go there and show yourself.”
“Ugly rumors about me?” said Pelham. “I don’t understand.”
“Well, it has got abroad—I daresay there’s not a word of truth in it—but it is the talk of more than one club that you signed a _post obit_ for a large sum just before that child, little Piers, was taken ill. I don’t believe it for a moment: and I denied it flatly. You are the last man to put your hand to such a document. What is the matter, old fellow?—you look ill.”
“But it is true; I did sign a _post obit_,” answered Pelham in a low voice.
“You astound me,” he said. “Then for Heaven’s sake, go back to London at once. This is not a time for you to hide yourself in a corner.”
The Pelhams returned home and took up their quarters at Mrs. Evershed’s house in Mark Place.
Pelham had been in London two or three days before he could muster sufficient courage to visit Mrs. Pelham.
“You must come, Dick,” said his young wife; “your keeping away looks strange. Mrs. Pelham has been talking to mother about you and wondering why you never come near her. She sent us an invitation only yesterday, and she wants us to take tea with her this afternoon. I accepted her invitation for us both. Come with me, and get it over.”
Pelham remained silent for a moment. Then he said—
“Yes, Barbara, it is best to get it over. I will come.”
At the appointed hour they arrived at Ashley Mansions. Mrs. Pelham was alone in the old drawing-room where Dick had so often greeted her in the presence of little Piers.