CHAPTER XVII

MIC}AL ?ossa,) the letter across the table to Rosamund.

"What about it ?"

"Oh, we'll go. Don't you think so ?"

Michael said slowly: "It might be as well."

"There might be some jewellery... Of course all the things in the house are quite hideotm--stuffed birds and wax flowers--ugh l"

"Yes. Bit of a mausoleum. As a matter of fact I'd like

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to make a sketch or two---articulaxly in that drawing-room. The mantelpiece, for instance, and that very odd shaped couch.

They'd be just right for The Baronet's Progress--if we revive it."

He got ap and looked at his watch.

"That reminds me. I must go round and see Rosenheim.

Don't expect me until rather late this evening. I'm dining with Oscar and we're going into the question of taking up that option and how it fits in with the American offer."

"Darling Oscar. He'll be pleased to see you after all this time. Give him my love."

Michael looked at her sharply. He no longer smiled and his face had an alert predatory look.

"What do you mean--after all this time ? Anyone would think I hadn't seen him for months."

"Well, you haven't, have you ?" murmured Rosamund.

"Yes, I have. We lunched together only a week ago."

"How funny. He must have forgotten about it. He rang up yesterday and said he hadn't seen you since the first night of Tilly Looks West."

"The old fool must be off his head."

Michael laughed. Rosamund, her eyes wide and blue, oked at him without emotion.

"You think I'm a fool, don't you, Mick ?"

Michael protested.

"Darling, of course I don't."

"Yes, you do. But I'm not an absolute nitwit. You didn't

go near Oscar that day. I know where you did go."

"Rosamund darling--what do you mean ?"

"I mean I know where you really were..."

Michael, his attractive face uncertain, stared at his wife.

She stared back at him, placid, unruffled.

How very disconcerting, he suddenly thought, a really empty stare could be.

He said rather unsuccessfully: "I don't know what you're driving at..."

"I just meant it's rather sill,y, telling me a lot of lies."

"Look here, Rosamund

He had started to bl.u.s.ter--but he stopped, taken aback as his wife said softly:

"We do want to take up this option and put this play on, don't we ?"

"Want to ? It's the part I've always dreamed must exist somewhere."

"Yes--that's what I mean."

"Just what do you mean ?"

"Well--it's worth a good deal, isn't it ? /3ut one mustn't take too many risks."

He stared at her and said slowly: "It's yo,,ur money--I know that. If yo don't want to risk it''

It's our money, darling." Rosamund tressed it.

think that's rather important." "Listen, darling.

The part of Eileen-At would bear writing up."

Rosamund smiled.

I don't think--really--I want to play it. , "My dear girl." lichael was aghast. "at s come over you ? :"

"Nothing."

"Yes, there is, you've been different ltely--mdYnervous, what is it ?"

"Nothing. I only want you to be---careful, ,,Mick." "Careful about what ? I'm always careful. -. "No, I don't think you are. You alway thnk you can get away with things and that everyone will elieve.wha-teve, r, you want them to. You were stupid about 0car that day.

Michael flushed angrily.

"And what about you ? You said you were going shopping with Jane. You didn't. Jane's in America, has been for weeks."

"Yes," said Rosamund. "That was stupirl, too. I really just went for a walk in Regent's Park."

Michael looked at her curiously.

"Regent's Park ? You never went for a vlk in Regent's Park in your life. What's it all about ? IJave you got a boy friend ? You may say what you like, osamund, you have , been different lately. Why ?"

I ye been--thnkng about things. About vh.at. t.o do... Michael came round the table to her in a satslyng spontaneous rush. His voice held fervour as he cried: ".Darling--you know I love you madly l" , . ., She responded satisfactorily to the embrace, our as mey drew apart he was struck again disagreeably b the odd calculation in those beautiful eyes.

"Whatever I'd done, you'd always forgive me, wouldn't you ? "he demanded.

"I suppose so," said Rosamund vaguely. ,, That's not the point. You see, it's all different now. We,ve got to think and plan."

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"Xlink and plan what ?"

Rosamund, frowning, said:

"Things aren't over when you've done them. It's really a sort of beginning and then one's got to arrange what to do

next, and what's important and what is n))t."

"Rosamund..."