There was only five minutes, and she was going abroad.
Perhaps he had never realised all she was to him till that moment, and in the instant when Mrs. Bladon was saying last words to Lady Forsyth he reached Nancy's side. Their hands met in a long and close clasp.
"I could not believe it--that you were going away," he said, in quick, eager tones; "why did you not tell me?"
"I never saw you," she began, quickly. "You never came, and----"
"Good morning," broke in Mrs. Bladon, not one whit disconcerted at the unwelcome arrival of Lumsden on the scene. "Yes, Nancy is going abroad. Lucky girl, to escape cold, dreary England; and now, remember, dearest, to wrap up on the voyage, and don't stay up on deck after dinner till you get used to the chilly air. Good-bye, Frances; send me a line from Gibraltar. How I envy you! Yes, the _Orotava_ is a fine boat. _Bon voyage._ Good-bye, darling."
[Illustration: LUMSDEN COULD ONLY SAY, "WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME YOU WERE GOING AWAY?" WHEN MRS. BLADON BROKE IN--]
The train began to glide out of the station, and only a last sweet smile remained to Lumsden as Mrs. Bladon and he were left standing together on the gloomy platform. Then, when the train had passed out of sight, he swung round and faced Mrs. Bladon with a half-contemptuous smile in his dark, keen eyes.
"Is it well?" she said, lightly. "You were hardly in time, were you? Nancy will have a delightful time with the Forsyths. Italy, perhaps Algiers; a charming tour away from this fog."
He threw up his head with a sudden characteristic gesture.
"Yes--of course. It was sudden, though. Why was I not told of it?"
They were walking out of the station, and Mrs. Bladon fastened her furs closely round her. It was bitterly cold.
"My dear Mr. Lumsden," she said, airily, as he opened the door of her carriage, "am I answerable to you for my doings? And you know it is best."
"Are you sure of that?" he said, coolly. "Perhaps there are two opinions about it. I am a fatalist, Mrs. Bladon."
"Really? I envy you. Can I give you a lift? No? Then home, James."
Lumsden walked quickly away, his pulses beating fast.
Stay. He had an idea--a brilliant idea. He would not accept defeat so easily. It was early in the day, and he was free for a month. In a month one may do wonders.