Red Money

lly must have my fortune told. The d

ociety lady of sixty, made up to look like one of forty (her maid could do no more), with an excellent digestion and a constant desire, like the Athenians of old, for "Something New!" can scarcely be expected to dwell upon such a disagreeable subject as death. Nevertheless, Mrs. Belgrove

thankful to find something to amuse the house-party for a

d, a fat, small round-faced man, who was

e miles away. We

e minded such a speech from her, as her vulgarity was merely regarded as eccentricity, because she

lean and anxious-looking even for an August hostess, looked at him wrathfully. He never gave her any assistance in entertaining their numerous guests, yet always insisted that the house should be full for the shooting season. An

d a great deal to say, and who always tried, as an American would observe, "to run the circ

s useless to ask them, or any one of them, to go on a fortune-telling expedition when they could find anything of that sort in Bond Street. "A

ashed out Miss Greeby, at which there was a ge

unted, wiping his mustache; "for to-morrow I'm going to have these

Greeby, who had lost heavily at bridge

a lot of burglaries in this neighborhood of lat

urned pale under her rouge, as she remem

ack his chair. "They won't try on any games in this house whi

law?" asked an army

se is his castle, you know, and he can jolly well shoot any one who tries

s first, I presume," sai

house after dark doesn't need his

king young man. "He got into Juliet's

very voice at the end of the table, and every one

yes, her Greek features and ivory skin faintly tinted with a tea-rose hue, she looked very lovely and very sad. Why she should be, was a puzzle to many women, as being the wife of a superlatively rich man, she had all the joys that money could bring her. Still it was hinted on good authority-but no one ever heard the name of the authority-that Garvington being poor had forced her into marrying Sir Hubert, for whom she did not care in the least. People said that her cousin Noel Lambert was the husband of her choice, but that

n as he left the room. "Romeo or no Romeo, guest or no guest," he said harshly, "I'll shoot any b

vacant seat near her hostess. "What did Garvington mean by that

nything?" said the other woman fretfully. "He

ensive look on her masculine feature

?" demanded Lady

in the house," she said carelessly. "But some one told me he was near at

oel is staying in the Abbot's Wood Cottage, and indulging in artistic work of some sort. But he can come and stay here,

Miss Greeby daringly, "and if he does,

sort," cried Lady Garv

And we know that Sir Hubert is as jealous as O

ould have shaken Miss Greeby, but that she had borrowed money from her and did not da

tuous manner. However, for reasons best known to herself, she held her peace, alt

n the way of food, the worried woman was reflecting on what Miss Greeby had said. When the menu was finally settled-no easy task when it concerned the master of the house-Lady Garvington sought out Mrs. Belgrove. That juvenile ancient was sunning herself on the terrace, in the hope of renew

out her woes to Mrs. Belgrove. That person was extremely discreet, as years of society struggling had taught her the value of si

riginal observation. But she had not, for Lady Garvington always appeared worn and weary, and sallow, and untidy. She was the kind of

Lady Garvington, hunting for her pocket h

making love

ureen. I'm sure I don't know why I ever did marry him," lamented the lady, staring at the changing foliage of the park trees. "He's a pa

h has that to

sses, so as to learn to talk about French dishes. We used to flirt about soups and creams and haunches of venison, until he thought that I was as greedy as he was. So he married me, and I've been

come to the point unless forced to face it, so she rapped her knuckle

's a

bly. "I can't see why cat should be a term of opprobrium when applied to a woman. Cats ar

ve with Noel herself," r

Come to the poin

a Gre

ugly eyes they are-to have married Noel Lambert. I suppose you mean him? Noel isn't a common name. Quite so. You mean him. We

she hoped would please her husband. "Clara has quite six thousand a year, and doesn't look bad wh

"A masculine sort of hussy. Noel is far too artistic to marry such a maypole. She's six foot two, if she'

lar," said the other woman vaguely. "Such nonsense, for I'm sure no burgl

?" said Mrs. Belg

t that Garvington m

s name! Because

e one suggested by Mrs. Belgrove's remark. "I'd be a happier woman if I had something else to atten

o do that," said Mrs. Belgrove humorously.

believe he loves her still, which isn't right, seeing she's married, and isn't half so good-looking as she was. And Noel stoppi

ll?" asked Mrs.

"She said if Noel came to see Agnes by night, Garvington, taking him for a burglar, might shoo

ed at a knowledge of why Lady Garvington had sought her. "Noel can co

The windows here are so insecure," added Lady Garvington, glancing at the facade above her untidy hair. "He coul

man to come after a married woman when her husband is away. I have known him sin

ington in her usual vague way. "I'm sure I don't know why he can't

e she doesn'

that jealous that he can't scar

ed Mrs. Belgrove dryly. "Since he is

and he owes Sir Hubert too much, n

u talk a great deal of nonsense, Jane, as I said before," she observed. "I

Greeb

to get Noel into trouble with Sir Hubert over Agnes, simply be

atter," correcte

s. It's all rubbish. Agn

n laughed disdainfully

ad habit growing old. I have never encouraged it myself. By the way, tell me somethin

thin, and

ppearance. Bu

e his money out of penny toys and South African investments. He was a member of Parliament for a few years, and

u tell me does

" explained the hostess, touching her ruffl

you any?" asked Mr

would never have allowed his si

Agnes married the man to save her family from bankruptcy. Poor girl!" Mrs. Belgr

Hunger marrying Thirst? Noel has no money, just like ourselves, and if it hadn't bee

me nothing that eve

t is your

what, m

been telling you.

burglar does come here I hope Lord Garvington wi

he burgla

a nasty suggestion which is worthy of her. But i

r," said Lady Gar

s, and Clara Greeby has no self-respect. And if you think

k it's

ris. She can b

Such simple tastes she has, wanting

lps Lord Garvington?" ask

owned. "What horri

t what every

e to depart on some vague errand. "I'm only in the world to look after d

There s

ught, they looked like that-and carried a very masculine stick, more like a bludgeon than a cane. With her ruddy complexion and ruddy hair, and piercing blue eyes, and magnificent figure-for she really had a splendid figure in spite of Mrs. Be

nd in a loud baritone voice. "Very wise of yo

eeable in her turn. "Goi

ook up Lambert"; she always spoke of her male friends in this hearty fashion. "He

," put in Lady Garvingt

shed. She knew that the remark was meant for her, and snapped back. "Are you going to have your f

f you ask they will p

fect health,

nk, since your c

e further exchange of compliments. "Will you be

n Lambert for a feed.

and she drifted along the terrace and into the house like a cloud blown any way by the wind. Miss Greeby looked after her l

ehind the laurels. "Nothing half so pretty. She's like a great Flanders mare. And I wish Henry VIII