The maid left the house barely an hour ago."
Lady Bolsover looked at her brother, who glanced swiftly at the servant.
Lady Bolsover understood, and told the servant to go.
"What can have happened?" she said as the door was closed.
"Nothing serious, I warrant, my dear Peggy. Like all you women, Barbara
is enjoying some harmless intrigue. Do you mind that day at Aylingford
when I horsewhipped your first admirer? How old were you then?"
"But Barbara is--"
"Young," said Sir John, "and to indulge a frolic has taken advantage of
the loose rein. You will find her in her room presently, with her head
still aching, but slightly better, and to-night she will be as radiant
as a young Diana."
"I trust so."
"Take my word for it. Long residence in the country has not made me
forget that I once understood women very well." And with a smile Sir
John departed.
CHAPTER XVII
BARBARA'S SELF-SACRIFICE
There were few coaches and lackeys in the square when Sydney Fellowes
left Lady Bolsover's. Hastily taking leave in the hall of an
acquaintance who seemed inclined to bear him company, he hurried away,
too much absorbed in his thoughts to think of the dangers of the streets
for a lonely man at that hour of the night.
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