The Arbiter: A Novel

  CHAPTER XIV

  Sir William remained lying back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling,too much exhausted by the excitement of the last few minutes to realiseentirely what had happened, but with a vague, agonised consciousnessthat he had done something irrevocable, something that matteredsupremely. But to try even to conceive what might be the consequence ofit so made his heart throb and his head whirl that all he could do wasto put it away from him with as much effort as he had strength to make.It was so that Rachel found him, when she came gaily in a few minuteslater from a shopping expedition in Sloane Street, eager to tell him ofall her little doings, and of some acquaintances she had met in thestreet. He looked at her and tried to smile.

  "Father--father--dear father!" she said in consternation. "What is it?Are you not so well?"

  "Yes, yes," he said nervously, trying to speak in something like hisordinary voice. "I am--tired, that's all."

  "You have been up too long," she said anxiously.

  "I don't think it's that," he said.

  "But where is Frank?" asked Rachel. "I thought, of course, that he waswith you. That was why I went out. I had no idea you would be alone."

  "Lord Stamfordham came," said Sir William, feeling like one who isforced to approach something that horrifies him, and who dares not lookit in the face. "Frank went out with him."

  "Lord Stamfordham! Again!" said Rachel amazed.

  "Yes," said Sir William, leaning back with his eyes closed, as thoughunable to expend any of his feeble strength on surprise or wonder, muchless on attempts at explanation. And as Rachel looked at him hersolicitude overcame every other thought.

  "Darling," she said, "do come back to your own room. Let's go upstairsnow."

  "No, no," said Sir William quickly, feeling, even though he thought ofRendel's return with absolute terror, that it would be better to knowthe worst at once without waiting in suspense for the blow to fall."I'll wait till Rendel comes in."

  "But he shall go up to you at once," Rachel urged. "Do come up now, dearfather."

  At that moment, however, the question of whether they should wait or notfor Rendel's return was settled for them, for his latchkey was heardturning in the front door. He came into the room with such an air as awinged messenger of victory might wear, unconscious of his surroundingsand of the road he traverses as he speeds along. Rachel looked at him,and forbore to utter either the inquiry that sprang to her lips or anyappeal for sympathy about her father's condition.

  "I've got to finish some writing," Rendel said, bringing back histhoughts with visible effort. And he went quickly to the writing-table,opening it with the key of his watch-chain. Sir William dared not look.He tried to remember what had happened when he so hurriedly put thepaper back; he wondered whether it had stuck in the slit, or if it hadgone properly through and fallen straight among the others. There was apause during which he sat up and gripped the arms of his chair,listening as if for life. Nothing had happened apparently. Rendel haddrawn up his chair and was writing again busily. Sir William fell backagain and closed his eyes as a flood of relief swept over him, Rachelsitting by him quietly, her hand laid gently on his. Rendel went onwriting, transcribing from some more rough pencil notes he had broughtin in his hand, then, having quickly rung the bell, he proceeded to dothe whole thing up in a packet and seal it securely.

  "I want this taken to Lord Stamfordham at once," he said, as the servantcame into the room. "And, Thacker, I should like you to go with ityourself, please. It's very important, and I want it to be given intohis own hand. If he isn't in, please wait."

  "Yes, sir," said Thacker, taking the precious packet and departing, witha secret thrill of wondering excitement.

  Rendel pulled down the lid of the table, drawing a sort of long breathas he did so, like one who has cleared the big fence immediately infront of him, and is ready for the next. Sir William's breath was comingand going quickly.

  "I'm afraid you don't look very fit for chess, Sir William," he saidkindly, struck with his father-in-law's look of haggard anxiety andillness.

  "No," Sir William said feebly, "not to-day, I'm afraid."

  "I'm sorry to see you like this," Rendel said. "Let me help youupstairs. What have you been doing with yourself since I left you? Youdon't look nearly so well as when you came down."

  "I feel a little faint," Sir William said. "It would be better for me togo and rest now, perhaps." And leaning on Rendel's arm, and followedsolicitously by Rachel, he went upstairs.