“Precisely what they seem to think.  But, to be brief with you, Miss Lind thinks that unless you wish to break with the Earl, and quarrel with your family, you should go down to Towers Cottage at once.”

“But I cant go away just now.  There are reasons.”

“Miss Lind is fully acquainted with your reasons.  They are her reasons for wishing you to leave London immediately.  And now, having executed my commission, I must ask you to excuse me.  My time is much occupied.”

“Well, I am greatly obliged to you for coming all this way out of town to give me the straight tip,” said Marmaduke, relieved at the prospect of getting rid of his visitor without alluding to Susanna.  “It is very good of you; and I am very glad to see you.  Jolly place, Carbury Park is, isnt it?  How will the shooting be?”

“First rate, I am told.  I do not know much about it myself.”  They had risen, and were strolling along the path leading to the gate.

“Shall I see you down there—­if I go?”

“Possibly.  I shall have to go down for a day at least, to get my luggage, in case I decide not to renew my engagement with Lord Jasper.”

“I hope so,” said Marmaduke.  Then, as they reached the gate, he proffered his hand, in spite of an inward shrinking, and said heartily, “Good-bye, old fellow.  Youre looking as well as possible.”

Conolly took his hand, and retained it whilst he said:  “Good-bye, Mr. Lind.  I am quite well, thank you.  If I may ask—­how is Susanna?”

Marmaduke was prevented by a spasm of the throat from replying.  Before he recovered, Susanna herself, attired for her proposed trip to Hampton, emerged from the shrubbery and stood before them, confounded.  Conolly, still wearing the cordial expression with which he had shaken Marmaduke’s hand, looked at her, then at her protector, and then at her again.

“I have been admiring the villa, Susanna,” said he, after an emphatic silence.  “It is better than our place at Lambeth.  You wont mind my hurrying away:  I have a great deal to do in town.  Good-bye.  Good-bye, Mr. Lind.”

Susanna murmured something.  Marmaduke, after making an effort to bid his guest good-bye genially, opened the gate, and stood for a minute watching him as he strode away.

“What does he care what becomes of me, the selfish brute!” cried Susanna, passionately.

“He didnt complain:  he has nothing to complain of,” said Marmaduke.  “Anyhow, why didnt he stay at home and look after you?  By George, Susanna, he is the coolest card I ever came across.”

“What brought him here?” she demanded, vehemently.

“That reminds me.  I am afraid I must go down to Carbury for a few days.”

“And what am I to do here alone?  Are you going to leave me too?”

“Well, I cannot be in two places at the same time.  I suppose you can manage to get on without me for a few days.”