As the driver leaped from the car a second man disconnected himself
from the shadows, paused for a moment to take orders from the new
arrival, and then jumped into the seat just vacated. Whereupon the
one-time driver performed precisely the same feat that Dauntless had
performed three minutes before him. He jerked forth a couple of bags
and then proceeded to lift from the tonneau of the car a vague but
animate something, which, an instant later, resolved itself into the
form of a woman at his side.
"I've settled with the company, Meaders," hurriedly announced
Windomshire to the man on the seat. "The car is in your hands now."
"Yes, sir; I understand. Your week is up to-night. Hope it was
satisfactory, sir." The car shot off in the night, almost running down
a man who scudded across the street in its path.
"Just in time, Anne," said Windomshire to the tall, hooded figure
beside him. "Thank God, we didn't miss it."
"Hasn't it been good sport, Harry?" cried the young woman, with an
unmistakably English inflection. "It's just like a book."
"Only more so," he observed. "This has really happened, you know.
Things never really happen in books, don't you know. You've not lost
your tickets, dear?"
"No; they do that only in books. Really, I'm trembling like a leaf. I
can't realise that it is all taking place as we planned, and that I am
to be your wife after all. Ah, Harry! isn't it splendid?"
"'Gad, little woman, I am the one who hasn't the right to realise. By
Jove, I didn't give myself credit for the cleverness to fool every one
so neatly. Really, don't you know, however, I feel a bit sorry for Miss
Thursdale. She's a ripping good sort, and I'm sorry on that account."
Miss Courtenay--erstwhile governess--took hold of the lapels of his
raincoat and looked seriously up into his face. "Are you sure you'll
never regret giving her up for me--with all her money?"
"Oh, I say, Anne dear, it's I who am running away, not you. I've always
wanted you--all my life. I've been something of a cad---"
"It wasn't your fault. Mrs. Thursdale was bound to have you. It's her
way."
"It hurts my pride to say it, but hanged if I think--er--Eleanor was
very strong for the match. I've a notion she was bullied into it."
"I'm quite sure of it."
"You're doing her a good turn, my dear. You see, I couldn't love her,
and I'd probably have beaten her and all that. It wasn't as if I had to
marry her for her money. Deuce take it, I've got a few pounds of my
own."
"I'm only Anne Courtenay, the governess."
"You'll be Lady Windomshire some day, my word for it--if the other
chaps manage to die, God bless 'em. I say, here's the train.
Good-night, dear, up you go! I'll go up ahead. Don't forget! The
wedding's at noon to-morrow."
The long, shadowy train came to a stop. He elbowed the porter aside and
helped her up the steps. Neither of them noticed the vague figure which
rushed across the platform and into the second car below.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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