He flushed a little, but answered calmly: "As I don't suppose you'll be able to think of anything to say more disagreeable than that, you may as well go, and let me dress." "Yes, I will." She turned to the door, smiling in a grim triumph. Just as she went out, she looked over her shoulder and added, "You'll have to tell Godfrey." That gave him a chance. He cried after her, "You're in a funk too, really!" She smiled at him. "Didn't I say I was a Lisle--or half a one--like you, Arthur?" She pulled the door to, with a bang, and he heard her quick decisive steps retreating along the corridor. The next moment Barber entered the room, bringing hot water. He had seen Judith as she came out. Only another of the queer things happening this morning! He wore an air of tremendously discreet gravity. But Arthur guessed from his face that wonder and surmise, speculation and gossip, were afloat in the house already. He dressed quickly and went down to breakfast. Judith was there alone; Margaret was having breakfast upstairs with the nurse, she told him--out of the way of chattering tongues, her look added--as she poured out coffee. Barber came in with a telegram, and laid it by her. "The boy's waiting, miss." She read it. "No answer, Barber." "Oh, I want to send a wire. Bring me a form, will you?" said Arthur. When he had written his message, Judith rose and came round to him, carrying his coffee in one hand and the telegram in the other; she gave him the latter to read--"Don't expect me back. Shall write you." There was no signature. "What does she want to write about?" "Oh, her things, I suppose. What did you say in your wire?" "I said 'Awfully sorry can't come. Pressing family business.'" "It is--very. I'm afraid I was rather disagreeable, Arthur." He looked up at her with a rueful smile as he stirred his coffee. "You're like a cold bath on a freezing morning--stinging but hygienic." There was a sudden choke in her voice as she answered: "I'd have said and done anything rather than let you go. And if I've ruined your play and your prospects, I can't help it." She walked quickly away to the window and stood there a moment with her back towards him. Then she returned to her place and ate a business-like breakfast. CHAPTER XXIII FACING THE SITUATION