“Don’t worry about it,” proceeded Daniel in a kind tone.  “These are the merest prejudices, you know.  She could not become Mrs. Otway, being already Mrs. Somebody-else.  Her death, I fear, was a great misfortune to our parent.  I have gathered that they suited each other—­fate, you know, plays these little tricks.  Your mother, I am sure, was a most charming and admirable woman—­I remember her portrait. A l’heure qu’il est, no doubt, it has to be kept out of sight.  She had, I am given to understand, a trilling capital of her own, and this was to become yours.”

6

THE CROWN OF LIFE

Piers stared at vacancy.  When he recovered himself he said with decision: 

“Of course I shall hear about it.  There’s no hurry.  Father knows I don’t want it just now.  Why, of course he will tell me.  The exam. comes off in autumn, and no doubt he keeps the news back as a sort of reward when I get my place.  I think that would be just like him, you know.”

“Or as a solatium, if you fail,” remarked the other genially.

“Fail?  Oh, I’m not going to fail,” cried Piers in a voice of half-resentful confidence.

“Bravo!” laughed the other; “I like that spirit.  So you’re going to lunch with John Jacks.  I don’t exactly know him, but I know friends of his very well.  Known him long?”

Piers explained that as yet he had no personal acquaintance with Mr. Jacks; that he had, to his surprise, received a written invitation a few days ago.

“It may be useful,” Daniel remarked reflectively.  “But if you’ll permit the liberty, Piers, I am sorry you didn’t pay a little more attention to costume.  It should have been a frock coat—­really it should.”

“I haven’t such a thing,” exclaimed the younger brother, with some annoyance and confusion.  “And what can it matter?  You know very well how father would go.”

“Yes, yes; but Jerome Otway the democratic prophet and young Mr. Piers Otway his promising son, are very different persons.  Never mind, but take care to get a frock coat; you’ll find it indispensable if you are going into that world.  Where does Jacks live?”

“Queen’s Gate.”

Daniel Otway meditated, half closing his eyes as he seemed to watch the smoke from his cigar.  Dropping them upon his brother, he found that the young man wore a look of troubled thoughtfulness.

“Daniel,” began Piers suddenly, “are you quite sure about all you have told me?”

“Quite.  I am astonished it’s news to you.”

Piers was no longer able to converse, and very soon he found it difficult to sit still.  Observant of his face and movements, the elder brother proposed that they should resume their walk together, and forth they went.  But both were now taciturn, and they did not walk far in company.

“I shall look you up at Ewell,” said Daniel, taking leave.  “Address me at that club; I have no permanent quarters just now.  We must see more of each other.”