For the instant Jimmy also was almost overwhelmed, but by vastly different sensations.  He had no suspicion that Bridget intended to break off her engagement until the moment when Miller told him of the colonel’s recent visit.  Then Jimmy reached the truth by a leap.  Bridget had gone away to escape from her elderly fiance!  At the time Jimmy believed that her announcement yesterday morning was prompted by a sense of duty—­a little belated, no doubt.

She saw how it was with him, but having already plighted her troth she felt compelled to issue that unexpected warning.  Now, however, Jimmy saw her conduct in another light.  She had made up her mind to have done with Colonel Faversham at all costs!  Lacking the courage to tell him so to his face, she had opened her heart to the man whom she loved and on whose love she counted.

From Bridget’s point of view, Jimmy saw that he had failed her at the pinch.  Still, she had acted for herself, not, perhaps, in the most desirable manner!  Still, she must have made her bid for freedom, and now it came to the point, this seemed to be all that Jimmy cared about.  It is true he had spoken to Bridget of his high regard for candour, but even that by no means equalled his regard for herself.

Whatever she had done, and Jimmy perceived that she must have treated Colonel Faversham less than well, this was not the time for criticism.  The salient fact was that she had shaken herself free!  Such a desirable end appeared to excuse almost any means.  Bridget’s disappearance did not in the least alarm him.  There would be little difficulty in finding her again; the point was that he had become justified in undertaking the search.

Having thanked and tipped Miller, Jimmy set about the quest at once, and determined to take the bull by the horns.  He would go to Grandison Square in the first place, see Colonel Faversham, and ascertain beyond a doubt that the coast was clear.  Colonel Faversham, too, or Carrissima might perchance be able to suggest some clue to Bridget’s hiding-place.

CHAPTER XXI

JIMMY SETS TO WORK

“Is Colonel Faversham at home?” asked Jimmy.

“Do you wish to see him!” said Carrissima.

“Well, yes,” was the answer, “I do—­rather particularly.”

“Because he is not in the very best mood for a visitor,” said
Carrissima.  “At the present moment he is shut up in his smoking-room. 
I give you a fair warning, Jimmy!”

“I think I shall have to risk it,” he returned.

“Oh dear!” exclaimed Carrissima.  “How tremendously curious you make me!  Although I’m entirely in the dark, I feel certain that important events are happening.  You see, Jimmy, my father is constantly at Golfney Place—­so are you!  This morning he came home unusually early—­actually with a large parcel in his hand.  He had a face like ever so many thunder-clouds.  Do you think there has been any sort of—­of disagreement between Bridget and the colonel?”