"I hope you will forgive me for telling you--but I feel as if I oughtn't to keep back anything--Mr. Dunstable said to me: 'My mother might have prevented it--but--she was never interested in me.'"
Another indignant exclamation from Lady Dunstable. Doris hurried on. "Only this is the important point! At last I got his promise, and I got it in writing. I have it here."
Dead silence. Doris opened her little handbag, took out a letter, in an open envelope, and handed it to Lady Dunstable, who at first seemed as if she were going to refuse it. However, after a moment's hesitation, she lifted her long-handled eyeglass and read it. It ran as follows:
DEAR MRS. MEADOWS,--I do not know whether I ought to do what you ask me. But you have asked me very kindly--you have really been awfully good to me, in taking so much trouble. I know I'm a stupid fool--they always told me so at home. But I don't want to do anything mean, or to go back on a woman who once did me a good turn; with whom also once--for I may as well be quite honest about it--I thought I was in love. However, I see there is something in what you say, and I will wait a week before marrying Miss Flink. But if you tell my people--I suppose you will--don't let them imagine they can break it off--except for that one reason. And _I_ shan't lift a finger to break it off. I shall make no inquiries--I shall go on with the lawyers, and all that. My present intention is to marry Miss Flink--on the terms I have stated--in a week's time. If you do see my people--especially my father--tell them I'm awfully sorry to be such a nuisance to them. I got myself into the mess without meaning it, and now there's really only one way out. Thank you again. Yours gratefully, HERBERT DUNSTABLE.
Lady Dunstable crushed the letter in her hand. All pretence of incredulity was gone. She began to walk stormily up and down. Doris sank back in her chair, watching her, conscious of the most strangely mingled feelings, a touch of womanish triumph indeed, a pleasing sense of retribution, but, welling up through it, something profound and tender. If _he_ should ever write such a letter to a stranger, while his mother was alive!
"What chance is there of saving my son?" she said, peremptorily. "You will, of course, tell us all you know. Lord Dunstable must go to town at once." She touched an electric bell beside her.