Mostyn had no particular reason to be jealous of Jack Treves, in
spite of the understanding which he knew existed between the girl and
the trainer's son. Rada showed herself, as far as she could, to be
impartial, and her one desire during these days seemed to be to
avoid, as far as she could, any reference to love or marriage: Castor
was her one care.
Certainly Mostyn was not jealous, nor did he ever attempt, by word or
deed, to belittle Jack Treves in Rada's eyes--this though not
infrequently she would appeal to him for his opinion as to this or
that in the behaviour of Jack. He had fully made up his mind that he
would hold himself quite neutral and await events--the crisis that
would have to come after the following year's Derby.
But as for Jack Treves, he did not look upon matters quite in the
same light, and when trouble came it was due wholly to his jealousy,
for he had quite decided that he had cause to be jealous. Thus it
was that he was the first to break the stipulation about not
bothering Rada, and she, in revenge, retaliated by cutting him for
days together and allowing herself to be more than ever in the
company of Mostyn. Of all this the latter knew nothing until, as was
to be expected, the storm broke.
It was two or three days before the Cesarewitch and Mostyn had
strolled over to the stables to have a look at Gulliver after he was
brought in from exercise. He was strolling leisurely across the
stretch of open country towards the gates when he was suddenly
confronted by Rada, emerging flushed and excited, her lips pursed
angrily together, her eyes glittering with that look of irresponsible
defiance which Mostyn had already grown to recognise, though of late
it had not been directed against himself.
Nor could it be so on the present occasion; he was quite sure of
that, for it was more than a fortnight since he and Rada had had
anything approaching a quarrel, and then it had been merely over some
trivial matter quickly forgotten. The girl would have passed him
with a little quick nod of her head, but he held out his arm and
impeded her.
"What's up, Rada; what's wrong?" he asked.
At first she would give him no explanation at all; she begged him to
let her go; her father was expecting her at home, and she was in a
hurry. But Mostyn, although he knew it was at some risk to himself,
took her by the arm and quietly demanded particulars. He had grown
in daring of late.
"You must tell me, Rada," he said, "you really must. I insist."
She looked at him, startled. It was the first time that he had
adopted a tone of command towards her. Perhaps in her heart she was
not altogether displeased, although for a few moments she was
inclined to resent his interference.
But the truth came out in the end. She had just had a scene with
Jack Treves, and she was furious with him, so she asserted, perfectly
furious. He had been worrying her, making her life wretched, and now
matters had come to a climax.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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