“Certainly, mother, and he was very kind. I don’t like him for most things, but I always did think he was generous about that.”
“It seems, Barbara, that he was not quite so generous as we imagined, for Dick—poor fellow!—was implicated in the matter too. Dr. Tarbot required some security for his money. I had none to give him, and the security he claimed was that Dick should pay him as soon as he came in for the property.”
“Barbara, my dear, how silly you are! The Pelham property.”
“Positive. You can ask your husband yourself.”
“When did this happen?” asked the girl. She was trembling visibly.
“Sit down, dear. Really, Barbara, you are a most impulsive person. There’s nothing so dreadful in what I tell you—it may be an indiscretion, of course, but many men do it.”
“Not men like Dick,” said Barbara—she spoke with an effort.
“My dear child, notwithstanding your quixotic views with regard to that husband of yours, you must accept facts. Dick signed a document which is called a _post obit_, in which he promised to pay back the capital of ten thousand pounds to Dr. Tarbot whenever he came in for the Pelham estates.”
“When did he sign the document?” asked Barbara.
Lady Pelham walked to the window and stood there looking out. Everything seemed dim and strange. She had a queer singing in her ears. She could hear nothing for a moment but this tempestuous noise. She turned and faced her mother.
“But it is so late, dear, and you have only just come in.”
“Barbara, are you going to have secrets from me, your mother?”
“I will tell you presently. I cannot now.”
Mrs. Evershed walked to the window and watched her as she crossed the little quadrangle which stood in front of Mark Place. The girl went down a street, which led into a wide thoroughfare.
“How queerly she takes it,” thought the mother. “Many a man has done a similar thing before now. I am sorry Barbara is so sensitive. Doubtless those two will have their first quarrel over this matter. How did the rumor get out? Such private things as these are never known as a rule. What can it mean?”
Meanwhile Barbara, her heart on fire, and the noise of its loud beating quite audible in her ears, walked rapidly in the direction of Tarbot’s house in Harley Street. She arrived there about six o’clock. When the servant answered her summons she asked if the doctor was in. The man said no.