The Black Cabinet Read Online Free Page A

awkward, and I find some difficulty in explaining. And course, dear girl, if you had done as I wished and had remained with me as one of the staff it would certainly have made a difference to your position—not, of course, that I have the slightest wish to hurt your feelings or to reflect upon your present employment; but I feel a—a—well, certain responsibility to Michael’s mother who was one of my earliest pupils—one of my very earliest pupils, and a most sweet girl. And, thou I don’t as a rule approve of second marriages, she was, of course, very young indeed when Michael’s father died, and her marriage to Lord Enniston has been most satisfactory, most satisfactory. She was Maud Ashley-Hill, a daughter of Sir Condor Ashley-Hill’s,” concluded Miss Tankerville with the air of one who has now explained everything.
    Chloe had begun to enjoy herself.
    â€œYes, that makes it quite clear, doesn’t it?” she said. “I mean all the fathers and mothers and grandfathers and people. There’s only one thing, dear Miss Tankerville, and that is, who is it?”
    â€œDidn’t I explain? Dear girl, surely I did. I met him this morning after church; and when I asked him to come to tea, he seemed so grateful, and said he had the day off because the car was out of order. And I never thought of your coming; and indeed, dear girl, if you didn’t mind,—the position seems to me delicate—yes, delicate, and a little awkward. I am not used to these unconventional situations. But I feel responsible to his mother, and—and also, of course, to your grandfather.”
    Chloe’s laugh rippled out, suddenly, irrepressibly.
    â€œDear Miss Tankerville, don’t worry. It’s quite easy, really. You can introduce the chauffeur to the dressmaker, and Lady Enniston’s son to my grandfather’s grand-daughter. There’s nothing unconventional about that. It’s only worrying when you get them mixed—I mean when I’m Miss Dane and he’s the chauffeur, or the proper way round. Don’t send me away—I don’t want to go a bit. And by the bye, you’ve never told me his name.”
    â€œMr. Foster,” said Susan, opening the door.
    Michael Foster came into the room, a big young man in the most ordinary blue serge in the world, Miss Tankerville heaved a sigh of relief as she shook hands and ordered tea.
    â€œAnd Susan—the lights. Michael, dear boy, I’m pleased to see you, I’m very pleased to see you.” Then, as the room sprang suddenly into light, she turned fussily towards Chloe with a hurried, “Dear girl, this is Mr. Foster.— Michael let me introduce you to Miss Dane, an old pupil of mine.”
    â€œWe have met before,” said Chloe. She put out her hand, and felt that Michael Foster’s hand was large and strong.
    â€œBefore! Dear girl, you never said. I didn’t know—I had no idea. Are you sure?”
    â€œWell, it was hardly a meeting”—Chloe was perhaps a little sorry that she had spoken—“I just saw Mr. Foster yesterday when his car had broken down on the way to Ranbourne. Is she all right now?”
    Michael Foster shook his head.
    â€œI got her to Ranbourne, but she’s not right yet.”
    Miss Tankerville broke in with a flood of questions about “Your dear mother.” A little later on, when they had had tea, she remembered a photograph album “with a charming picture of dear Maud in a group,” and departed to find it. Michael Foster turned to Chloe.
    â€œDid Toto bite you?” he inquired with much interest.
    â€œHe tried to. As soon as I got round the first corner I slapped him; then he didn’t try any more. He’s a little horror, but I give him full marks for brains. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind having Toto and training him, I believe he’d be rather fascinating if he wasn’t so insufferably