But all the ladies at the table were pale, for that matter, and they
had pink eyelids, as if from recent weeping, while in their demeanor to
Rosalind was mingled overweening pity and sympathetic tenderness for
her illness.
So she condescended graciously:
“Don’t let’s talk of it any more. I’m better now.”
But it seemed to her, presently, that there was something else in the
air, and, glancing at a vacant chair, she exclaimed:
“Why doesn’t Charley come to luncheon? Is he sick? Is that why all of
you look so tearful?”
With that one of the girls choked back a sob and answered bitterly:
“He isn’t sick, oh, no; much worse! He has gone crazy!”
“Hush, dearie!” admonished Madam Fortescue, glancing significantly at
the servant in waiting, while she added, to Rosalind, kindly and with
dignity:
“The news of Charley’s escapade will keep till we have finished
luncheon.”
After that no one had much appetite, and the four soon adjourned to a
private room where Rosalind said brusquely:
“If there’s anything to tell, let me hear it quickly--I never could
bear suspense.”
As they hesitated, with great eyes of sorrow and sympathy, she
continued:
“Why do you all look at me so strangely and pityingly? Has Charley done
something very bad indeed?”
“He has gone crazy!” again answered Marie angrily, mopping her wet eyes
with her lace handkerchief.
“It will break your heart!” sobbed Lucile, adding:
“Dear Rosalind, please do not be angry with us when you hear it. We are
not to blame, and we will love you all the more for the grief he has
caused you.”
“My dear girls, you will drive poor Rosalind wild. Let me tell her the
cruel truth at once,” exclaimed Madam Fortescue, and taking the girl’s
hand, tenderly, in hers, she said tearfully:
“I grieve to tell you that my nephew, Charley Bonair, has to-day capped
the climax of his follies by making a clandestine marriage with the
sick actress whom he saved from the bear pit the night of the ball.”
“Oh, heavens!” gasped Rosalind, in very genuine horror and indignation,
for she had not expected the climax so soon.
She sat gazing at the speaker with a pale, stricken face, while she
went on bitterly: