But while he was making his butterfly way down Piccadilly, occasionally sipping at a jeweller's, or hovering lightly over a print-shop, Toby, after a long meditation on the top step of the club, during which time the hall-porter had held the door open for him, turned away instead of going in, and went up Park Lane to his brother's house. Kit's bedroom was directly over the front-door, and, looking up, he saw that the blinds were still down. Jack was coming into the hall from his room when Toby entered, and, seeing him, stopped.
"I was just coming to see you, Toby," he said. "I am glad you have come."
Jack's face looked curiously aged and drawn, as if he had spent a week of sleepless nights, and Toby followed him in silence, with a heart sunk suddenly into his boots. There was deadly presage in the air. Jack preceded him into the smoking-room, and threw himself down in a chair.
The two remained together for nearly an hour, and at the end of that time came out together again. Toby took his hat and gloves from the hall-table, and was putting on his coat, when the other spoke.
"Won't you go and see her?" he asked, and his voice was a little trembling.
Toby had thrust one hand through the arm of his coat, and with it dangling remained a moment thinking.
"For two reasons: she is your wife--yours," he said, "and I am your brother; also you were a brute, Jack."
"For both reasons see her," he said; and his voice was sorry and ashamed.
"And it will do no good," said Toby, still irresolute.
"But it will be a pleasure to Kit," said Jack. "Don't, for God's sake, be always thinking about doing good, Toby! Oh, it maddens me!"
Toby disengaged the coated arm, and leaned against the hall-table.
"I shouldn't know what to say," he replied.
"You needn't know; just go and see her." Jack spoke with some earnestness. "Go and see her," he went on. "I can't, and I must know how she is. Toby, I believe you are sorry for both of us. Well, if that is so, I am sure Kit would like to see you, and certainly I want you to go. She was asking for you, her maid told me, an hour ago."
"I'm a damned awkward sort of fellow," said Toby. "Suppose she begins to talk, God knows what I shall say."
Toby put his hat down, and drew off a glove.