第71章

Soames gave her a sharp look.It was clear to him that she could not take her Dartie seriously,and would go back on the whole thing if given half a chance.His own instinct had been firm in this matter from the first.To save a little scandal now would only bring on his sister and her children real disgrace and perhaps ruin later on if Dartie were allowed to hang on to them,going down-hill and spending the money James would leave his daughter.Though it was all tied up,that fellow would milk the settlements somehow,and make his family pay through the nose to keep him out of bankruptcy or even perhaps gaol!They left the shining carriage,with the shining horses and the shining-hatted servants on the Embankment,and walked up to Dreamer Q.C.'s Chambers in Crown Office Row.

"Mr.Bellby is here,sir,"said the clerk;"Mr.Dreamer will be ten minutes."Mr.Bellby,the junior--not as junior as he might have been,for Soames only employed barristers of established reputation;it was,indeed,something of a mystery to him how barristers ever managed to establish that which made him employ them--Mr.Bellby was seated,taking a final glance through his papers.He had come from Court,and was in wig and gown,which suited a nose jutting out like the handle of a tiny pump,his small shrewd blue eyes,and rather protruding lower lip--no better man to supplement and stiffen Dreamer.

The introduction to Winifred accomplished,they leaped the weather and spoke of the war.Soames interrupted suddenly:

"If he doesn't comply we can't bring proceedings for six months.Iwant to get on with the matter,Bellby."

Mr.Bellby,who had the ghost of an Irish brogue,smiled at Winifred and murmured:"The Law's delays,Mrs.Dartie.""Six months!"repeated Soames;"it'll drive it up to June!We shan't get the suit on till after the long vacation.We must put the screw on,Bellby"--he would have all his work cut out to keep Winifred up to the scratch.

"Mr.Dreamer will see you now,sir."

They filed in,Mr.Bellby going first,and Soames escorting Winifred after an interval of one minute by his watch.

Dreamer Q.C.,in a gown but divested of wig,was standing before the fire,as if this conference were in the nature of a treat;he had the leathery,rather oily complexion which goes with great learning,a considerable nose with glasses perched on it,and little greyish whiskers;he luxuriated in the perpetual cocking of one eye,and the concealment of his lower with his upper lip,which gave a smothered turn to his speech.He had a way,too,of coming suddenly round the corner on the person he was talking to;this,with a disconcerting tone of voice,and a habit of growling before he began to speak--had secured a reputation second in Probate and Divorce to very few.Having listened,eye cocked,to Mr.Bellby's breezy recapitulation of the facts,he growled,and said:

"I know all that;"and coming round the corner at Winifred,smothered the words:

"We want to get him back,don't we,Mrs.Dartie?"Soames interposed sharply:

"My sister's position,of course,is intolerable."Dreamer growled."Exactly.Now,can we rely on the cabled refusal,or must we wait till after Christmas to give him a chance to have written--that's the point,isn't it?""The sooner."Soames began.

"What do you say,Bellby?"said Dreamer,coming round his corner.

Mr.Bellby seemed to sniff the air like a hound.

"We won't be on till the middle of December.We've no need to give um more rope than that.""No,"said Soames,"why should my sister be incommoded by his choosing to go""To Jericho!"said Dreamer,again coming round his corner;"quite so.People oughtn't to go to Jericho,ought they,Mrs.Dartie?"And he raised his gown into a sort of fantail."I agree.We can go forward.Is there anything more?""Nothing at present,"said Soames meaningly;"I wanted you to see my sister."Dreamer growled softly:"Delighted.Good evening!"And let fall the protection of his gown.

They filed out.Winifred went down the stairs.Soames lingered.

In spite of himself he was impressed by Dreamer.

"The evidence is all right,I think,"he said to Bellby."Between ourselves,if we don't get the thing through quick,we never may.

D'you think be understands that?"

"I'll make um,"said Bellby."Good man though--good man."Soames nodded and hastened after his sister.He found her in a draught,biting her lips behind her veil,and at once said:

"The evidence of the stewardess will be very complete."Winifred's face hardened;she drew herself up,and they walked to the carriage.And,all through that silent drive back to Green Street,the souls of both of them revolved a single thought:'Why,oh!why should I have to expose my misfortune to the public like this?Why have to employ spies to peer into my private troubles?

They were not of my making.'