She perceived now that they were somewhere in Enckworth wood. As they went, she noticed a faint shine upon the ground on the other side of the viscount, which showed her that they were walking beside a wet ditch. She remembered having seen it in the morning: it was a shallow ditch of mud. She might push him in, and run, and so escape before he could extricate himself. It would not hurt him.
It was her last chance. She waited a moment for the opportunity.
'We are one to one, and I am the stronger!' she at last exclaimed triumphantly, and lifted her hand for a thrust.
'On the contrary, darling, we are one to half-a-dozen, and you considerably the weaker,' he tenderly replied, stepping back adroitly, and blowing a whistle. At once the bushes seemed to be animated in four or five places.
'John?' he said, in the direction of one of them.
'Yes, my lord,' replied a voice from the bush, and a keeper came forward.
'William?'
Another man advanced from another bush.
'Quite right. Remain where you are for the present. Is Tomkins there?'
'Yes, my lord,' said a man from another part of the thicket.
'You go and keep watch by the further lodge: there are poachers about. Where is Strongway?'
'Just below, my lord.'
'Tell him and his brother to go to the west gate, and walk up and down. Let them search round it, among the trees inside. Anybody there who cannot give a good account of himself to be brought before me to-morrow morning. I am living at the cottage at present.
That's all I have to say to you.' And, turning round to Ethelberta:
'Now, dearest, we will walk a little further if you are able. Ihave provided that your friends shall be taken care of.' He tried to pull her hand towards him, gently, like a cat opening a door.
They walked a little onward, and Lord Mountclere spoke again, with imperturbable good-humour:
'I will tell you a story, to pass the time away. I have learnt the art from you--your mantle has fallen upon me, and all your inspiration with it. Listen, dearest. I saw a young man come to the house to-day. Afterwards I saw him cross a passage in your company. You entered the ball-room with him. That room is a treacherous place. It is panelled with wood, and between the panels and the walls are passages for the servants, opening from the room by doors hidden in the woodwork. Lady Mountclere knew of one of these, and made use of it to let out her conspirator; Lord Mountclere knew of another, and made use of it to let in himself.
His sight is not good, but his ears are unimpaired. A meeting was arranged to take place at the west gate at half-past seven, unless a note handed from the balcony mentioned another time and place. He heard it all--hee-hee!
'When Lady Mountclere's confederate came for the note, I was in waiting above, and handed one down a few minutes before the hour struck, confirming the time, but changing the place. When Lady Mountclere handed down her note, just as the clock was striking, her confederate had gone, and I was standing beneath the balcony to receive it. She dropped it into her husband's hands--ho-ho-ho-ho!
'Lord Mountclere ordered a brougham to be at the west lodge, as fixed by Lady Mountclere's note. Probably Lady Mountclere's friend ordered a brougham to be at the north gate, as fixed by my note, written in imitation of Lady Mountclere's hand. Lady Mountclere came to the spot she had mentioned, and like a good wife rushed into the arms of her husband--hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!'
As if by an ungovernable impulse, Ethelberta broke into laughter also--laughter which had a wild unnatural sound; it was hysterical.
She sank down upon the leaves, and there continued the fearful laugh just as before.
Lord Mountclere became greatly frightened. The spot they had reached was a green space within a girdle of hollies, and in front of them rose an ornamental cottage. This was the building which Ethelberta had visited earlier in the day: it was the Petit Trianon of Enckworth Court.
The viscount left her side and hurried forward. The door of the building was opened by a woman.
'Have you prepared for us, as I directed?'
'Yes, my lord; tea and coffee are both ready.'
'Never mind that now. Lady Mountclere is ill; come and assist her indoors. Tell the other woman to bring wine and water at once.'
He returned to Ethelberta. She was better, and was sitting calmly on the bank. She rose without assistance.
'You may retire,' he said to the woman who had followed him, and she turned round. When Ethelberta saw the building, she drew back quickly.
'Where is the other Lady Mountclere?' she inquired.
'Gone!'
'She shall never return--never?'
'Never. It was not intended that she should.'
'That sounds well. Lord Mountclere, we may as well compromise matters.'
'I think so too. It becomes a lady to make a virtue of a necessity.'
'It was stratagem against stratagem. Mine was ingenious; yours was masterly! Accept my acknowledgment. We will enter upon an armed neutrality.'
'No. Let me be your adorer and slave again, as ever. Your beauty, dearest, covers everything! You are my mistress and queen! But here we are at the door. Tea is prepared for us here. I have a liking for life in this cottage mode, and live here on occasion.
Women, attend to Lady Mountclere.'