"At any rate," she burst out, "I've spoken my
mind!"
"My dear Evelyn," cried Mrs. Cavendish, "this
can't be true!"
Miss Howard nodded grimly.
"True enough! Afraid I said some things to
Emily she won't forget or forgive in a hurry.
Don't mind if they've only sunk in a bit.
Probably water off a duck's back, though. I
said right out: 'You're an old woman, Emily,
and there's no fool like an old fool.
" what I'm talking about. There isn't one of
them that's not hard up and trying to get
money out of her. I've protected her as much
as I could. Now I'm out of the way, they'll
impose upon her."
"Of course, Miss Howard," I said, "I'll do
everything I can, but I'm sure you're excited
and overwrought."
She interrupted me by slowly shaking her
forefinger.
"Young man, trust me. I've lived in the world
rather longer than you have. All I ask you is to
keep your eyes open. You'll see what I mean."
The throb of the motor came through the open
window, and Miss Howard rose and moved to
the door. John's voice sounded outside. With
her hand on the handle, she turned her head
over her shoulder, and beckoned to me.
"Above all, Mr. Hastings, watch that devil her
husband!"
There was no time for more. Miss Howard was
swallowed up in an eager chorus of protests
and good-byes. The Inglethorps did not
appear.
Of course, Miss Howard," I said, "I'll
do everything I can, but I'm sure
you're excited and overwrought
She interrupted me by slowly
shaking her forefinger.
"Young man, trust me. I've lived in
the world rather longer than you
have. All I ask you is to keep your
eyes open. You'll see what I mean."
The throb of the motor came
through the open window, and
Miss Howard rose and moved to
the door. John's voice sounded
outside. With her hand on the
handle, she turned her head over
her shoulder, and beckoned to me.
"Above all, Mr. Hastings, watch that
devil her husband!"
There was no time for more. Miss
Howard was swallowed up in an
eager chorus of protests and goodbyes. The Inglethorps did not
appear.
The colour rose in her cheeks as
she held out her hand to him.
"Who is that?" I asked sharply, for
instinctively I distrusted the man.