Read Online The Guinea Stamp by Alice Chetwynd Ley - Free Book Online Page B

mending, and, dipping it in the standish, wrote a few lines rapidly on the paper which she had set out for her own use: he wrote in a curious, backhand scrawl, but it was evident that writing was no unfamiliar accomplishment with him.
    When he had finished, he hesitated for a moment. There was a certain risk in leaving a note here, in full view of anyone who should chance to come into this room. No ready alternative occurred to him, however, and the wording of the note could convey little to anyone other than the person for whom it was intended. He shrugged, folded the letter, and directed it in clear, block capitals to Miss Feniton. He placed it in a prominent position on the writing desk.
    Then he went over to the window, and softly opened one of the long glass doors. He stepped outside, and, leaning forward, arranged the curtains carefully across the window. This done to his satisfaction, he closed the door, though he was unable from his present position to latch it. He stepped out into the night.
    The darkness soon hid him from view.
     

 
    FOUR - Miss Feniton Takes Sides
     
    When Miss Feniton reached the drawing room, she found two gentlemen in regimentals seated beside her host. They came to their feet as she entered the room. She recognized them instantly.
    “How do you do, Colonel Kellaway? I trust your family is well?”
    Captain Masterman watched while she greeted his senior officer. It was so easy to see why people judged Miss Feniton to be cold and proud: her calm manner was in marked contrast to the unrestrained warmth with which Miss Lodge had welcomed them a few moments since.
    She next took Masterman’s hand, and asked him how he did. His feelings were somewhat disturbed, for Colonel Kellaway had hit upon the truth when he had remarked on his junior officer’s admiration of Miss Feniton, but he managed a polite reply to her formal inquiries after his sister.
    She showed no disposition to linger in conversation with either of the officers, but looked questioningly at her hostess.
    “I believe you sent for me, ma’am?”
    “Oh, no!” protested Lady Lodge, hurriedly. “That is to say—”
    “I sent for you,” explained Lady Feniton, firmly. “You will naturally not wish to be writing letters when there is company in the house.”
    Joanna felt a pang of dismay, but managed to conceal it. “Of course not, Grandmama. Perhaps, however, I may be excused for a space while I tidy away the litter I have left in the parlour downstairs? It is not the kind of thing that I should wish the housemaids to deal with, being my private correspondence.”
    She began to cross the room. Captain Masterman was at the door immediately, waiting to open it for her.
    “Nonsense, child!” objected her grandmother. “It can wait until later. I particularly wish you to hear what these gentlemen have to tell us of the state of our National defences. It is a subject which must be of interest to every one of us.”
    Miss Feniton saw that she could not make her escape for the moment without drawing down more attention upon herself than she altogether liked. She subsided, therefore, awaiting a suitable opportunity to find another excuse for quitting the room later on.
    Colonel Kellaway was answering the dowager. “As to that, ma’am, you need be in no alarm. Devon is not thought to be a very likely spot for a landing. Give ‘em a warm reception, though, if they should chance this way, eh, Masterman?”
    “I think it unlikely,” said Lady Feniton, coldly, “that you will ever find me in a state of alarm, Colonel.”
    “Just so, m’lady,” he answered, hastily. “Of course not, wouldn’t think it for a moment! Simply a manner of speaking, y’know!”
    “But indeed, Augusta,” protested Lady Lodge. “I am sure the Colonel may be excused for supposing you to be alarmed—I am very sure that I am! Why, I hear that they have a great fleet of boats waiting to cross the Channel—”
    Guy Dorlais broke into a laugh. The