The
Colonel drew himself up stiffly and turned scarlet.
Somebody was calling the Colonel a cad. Not only that, but was
explaining quite clearly, so that the Colonel could see it for
himself, why he was a cad.
"That you and your wife lead a cat and dog existence is a disgrace to
both of you. At least you might have the decency to try and hide it
from the world--not make a jest of your shame to every passing
stranger. You are a cad, sir, a cad!"
Who was daring to say these things? Not the stranger, his lips had
not moved. Besides, it was not his voice. Indeed it sounded much
more like the voice of the Colonel himself. The Colonel looked from
the stranger to his daughter, from his daughter back to the stranger.
Clearly they had not heard the voice--a mere hallucination. The
Colonel breathed again.
Yet the impression remaining was not to be shaken off. Undoubtedly it
was bad taste to have joked to the stranger upon such a subject. No
gentleman would have done so.
But then no gentleman would have permitted such a jest to be possible.
No gentleman would be forever wrangling with his wife--certainly never
in public. However irritating the woman, a gentleman would have
exercised self-control.
Mrs. Devine had risen, was coming slowly across the room. Fear laid
hold of the Colonel.
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