第33章 CHAPTER X(2)

Lucy consented to this suggestion, and Braddock went away to prepare for his departure. To get him off the premises was like launching a ship, as the entire household was at his swift heels, packing boxes, strapping rugs, cutting sandwiches, helping him on with his overcoat and assisting him into the trap, which had been hastily sent for to the Warrior Inn. All the time Braddock talked and scolded and gave directions and left instructions, until every one was quite bewildered. Lucy and the servants all sighed with relief when they saw the trap disappear round the end of the road in the direction of Jessum. In addition to being a famous archaeologist, the Professor was assuredly a great nuisance to those who had to do with his whims and fancies.

For the next two or three days Lucy enjoyed herself in a quiet way with Archie. In spite of the lateness of the season, the weather was still fine, and the artist took the opportunity of the pale sunshine to sketch a great deal of the marsh scenery.

Lucy attended him as a rule when he went abroad, and sometimes Mrs. Jasher, voluble and merry, would came along with them to play the part of chaperon. But the girl noticed that Mrs.

Jasher's merriment was forced at times, and in the searching morning light she appeared to be quite old. Wrinkles showed themselves on her plump face and weary lines appeared round her mouth. Also, she was absent-minded while the lovers chattered, and, when spoken to, would return to the present moment with a start. As the widow was now well off as regards money, and as her scheme to marry Braddock was well on the way to success - for Lucy had duly reported the Professor's attitude - it was difficult to understand why Mrs: Jasher should look so worried.

One day Lucy spoke to her on the subject. Random had strolled across the marshes to look at Hope sketch, and the two men chatted together, while Miss Kendal led the little widow to one side.

There is nothing the matter, I hope," said Lucy gently.""No. Why do you say that?" asked Mrs. Jasher, flushing.

"You have been looking worried for the last few days.""I have a few troubles," sighed the widow - "troubles connected with the estate of my late brother. The lawyers are very disagreeable and make all sorts of difficulties to swell their costs. Then, strangely enough, I am beginning to feel my brother's death more than I thought I should have done. You see that I am in mourning, dear. After what you said the other day Ifelt that it was wrong for me not to wear mourning. Of course my poor brother and I were almost strangers. All the same, as he has left me money and was my only relative, I think it right to show some grief. I am a lonely woman, my dear.""When my father comes back you will no longer be lonely," said Lucy.

"I hope not. I feel that I want a man to look after me. I told you that I desired to marry the Professor for his possible title and in order to form a salon and have some amusement and power.

But also I want a companion for my old age. There is no denying," added Mrs. Jasher with another sigh, "that I am growing old in spite of all the care I take. I am grateful for your friendship, dear. At one time I thought that you did not like me.""Oh, I think we get on very well together," said Lucy somewhat evasively, for she did not want to say that she would make the widow an intimate friend, "and, as you know, I am quite pleased that you should marry my step-father.""So pleasant to think that you look at my ambition in that light," said Mrs. Jasher, patting the girl's arm. "When does the Professor return?""I cannot say. He refused to fix a date. But he usually remains away for a fortnight. I expect him back in that time, but he may come much earlier. He will come back when the fancy takes him.""I shall alter all that, when we are married," muttered Mrs.

Jasher with a frown. "He must be taught to be less selfish.""I fear you will never improve him in that respect," said Lucy dryly, and rejoined the gentlemen in time to hear Random mention the name of Don Pedro de Gayangos.

"What is that, Sir Frank?" she asked.

Random turned toward her with his pleasant smile.

"My Spanish friend, whom I met at Genoa, is coming here to-morrow.""With his daughter?" questioned Mrs. Jasher roguishly.

"Of course," replied the young soldier, coloring. "Donna Inez is quite devoted to her father and never leaves him.""She will one day, I expect," said Hope innocently, for his eyes were on his sketch and not on Random's face, "when the husband of her choice comes along.""Perhaps he has come along already," tittered Mrs. Jasher significantly.

Lucy took pity on Random's confusion.

"Where will they stay?"

"At the Warrior Inn. I have engaged the best rooms in the place.

I fancy they will be comfortable there, as Mrs. Humber, the landlady, is a good housekeeper and an excellent cook. And Idon't think Don Pedro is hard to please."

"A Spaniard," you say," remarked Archie idly. "Does he speak English?""Admirably - so does the daughter."

"But why does a Spaniard come to so out-of-the-way a place?"asked Mrs. Jasher, after a pause.

"I thought I told you the other day, when we spoke of the matter," answered Sir Frank with surprise. "Don Pedro has come here to interview Professor Braddock about that missing mummy."Hope looked up sharply.

"What does he know about the mummy?"

"Nothing so far as I know, save that he came to Europe with the intention of purchasing it, and found himself forestalled by Professor Braddock. Don Pedro told me no more than that.""Humph!" murmured Hope to himself. "Don Pedro will be disappointed when he learns that the mummy is missing."Random did not catch the words and was about to ask him what he had said, when two tall figures, conducted by a shorter one, were seen moving on the white road which led to the Fort.

"Strangers!" said Mrs. Jasher, putting up her lorgnette, which she used for effect, although she had remarkably keen sight.

"How do you know?" asked Lucy carelessly.