There was never any one so gay as Camilla. The moment she arrived she seemed to radiate the whole place. The little crowded digue concentrated its whole attention on her. She provoked universal admiration.
When the whole party made a move towards the hotel for luncheon, she caught Caroline by the hand.
"I want you, Caroline--I want to ask you something," she said. She sent the children on ahead; then, when there was no one near, she said, "Can you give me news of Rupert?"
"No," said Caroline, "but I have no doubt Mrs. Brenton can."
"Oh dear, how hot it is here!" she said; "there is absolutely no air. The place lies in such a hole, but the chicks look splendid." Then, in her restless way, "Well, if you know nothing, I must ask Agnes, for we have heard the most extraordinary rumour about him"--she meant Haverford. "I thought perhaps you could tell me if it was true; I mean about his having gone to America because he has found some relations of Matthew Woolgar, and that he intends to give them all the money."
"I assure you I know nothing whatever about Mr. Haverford, or what he is doing. How should I?"
"Well, I hope to goodness there is no truth in this report," said Mrs. Cuthbert Baynhurst. "If there is, it is a very bad look-out for all of us."
This made Camilla look at her; then she stood still and gave Caroline a little pull.
"Now, don't be cross with me," she said, and, just like Betty, she added, "Nasty, unkind Caroline!" Then, becoming serious again, "You know it is not at all impossible that he might do this. He is so extraordinary about some things. I wonder who put the idea into his mind? I always understood that old Woolgar had no relations."
They walked on, and then, with a little laugh, Camilla said--
"If you want to know the truth, we have not got _half_ enough. I find Cuthbert is every bit as extravagant as I am. I wanted him to come with me to-day, but do you think I could get him away from the 'petits chevaux'? Not I! And let me tell you one can lose a fair amount of money at that game, silly as it is."
Caroline stood still; there were tears in her eyes.
"Oh, dearest!" she said, "is ... is it always to be the same? Is...."
Camilla whipped her round, and they walked sharply back towards the sands.