Jernington was more than shocked. His gratification had vanished. A piteous, almost a guilty expression, came into his large fair face. "Ach!" he exclaimed. "What have I done?" "Oh, it's not your fault. But Claude almost worships you. He thinks there is no one like you. He's afraid to lose a moment of time while you are with him. Your learning, your enthusiasm excite him till he's beside himself. He can't rest with such a worker as you in the house, and no wonder. You are an inspiration to him. Who could rest with such an influence near? What are we to do? Unless he has a complete holiday he is going to break completely down. Do watch him to-day! Notice! See for yourself!" Jernington, much impressed--for Charmian's despair had been very definite indeed, "oleographic in type," as she acknowledged to herself--did notice, did see for himself, and inquired innocently of Charmian what was to be done. "I leave that to you," she answered, fixing her eyes almost hypnotically upon him. Secretly she was willing him to go. She was saying in her mind: "Go! Go! Go!" was striving to "suggestion" him. "Perhaps--" he paused, and pulled his cuffs down over his large, pale hands. "Yes?" "Perhaps I had better take him away for a little holiday." She could have slapped him. But she only said eagerly: "To England, you mean! Why not? There's a boat going the day after to-morrow take your passage on the _Marechal Bugeaud_. Don't say a word to Claude. But and leave the rest to me. I know how to manage Claude. And if I get a little help from you!" Old Jernington took his passage on the _Marechal Bugeaud_ and left the rest to Charmian, with this result. Late the next night, when they were all going to bed, she whispered to him, "I've put a note in your room. Don't say a word to him!" She touched her lips. Much intrigued by all this feminine diplomacy Jernington went to his room, and found the following note under a candlestick. (Charmian had a sense of the dramatic.) "DEAR MR. JERNINGTON,--Claude _won't_ go. It's no use for me to say anything. He is in a highly nervous state brought on by this overwork. I see the only thing is to let him have his own way in everything. Don't even mention that we had thought of this holiday in England. The least thing excites him. And as he _won't_ go, what is the use of speaking of it? If I can get him to join you later well and good. For the moment we can only give in and be discreet. You have been such a dear to us both. The house will seem quite different without you. _Not a word to Claude. Burn this!_ "C. H." And old Jernington burnt it in the flame of the candle, and went away alone on the _Marechal Bugeaud_ the next morning, with apologies to Claude. The house did seem to Charmian quite different without him. CHAPTER XXVII