They walked along in silence.
"Then would you advise me to live in that house?" asked Isbel suddenly, with an unsteady smile.
Sherrup smoked for quite a minute before answering.
"If you ask that, Miss Loment, you must have a reason for asking it. tell me what you feel."
"Confessions are so awkward, and I'm not sure you won't laugh."
"I won't laugh."
"Well, then-when I was listening to that weird sound in that passage, it suddenly seemed to strike a very deep string in my heart, which had never been struck before. It was a kind of passion… It was passion. But there was something else in it besides joy-my heart felt sick and tormented, and there was a horrible sinking sensation of despair. But the delight was there all the time, and was the strongest…It only lasted a very short time, but I don't think I could ever forget it…"
"Yes, I know," said Sherrup.
"Then tell me what it means, and what I'm to do."
He threw away his cigar.
"Do nothing, Miss Loment, and ask no questions. That's the advice of a man who has daughters of his own."
"Not live there, you mean?"
"No." He made an emphatic side-gesture with his hand. "Cut it right out. A house like that is going to do you no good. Shall I tell you what you are, Miss Loment? You're an artist without a profession. You're like a lightning-rod without an outlet-you want to steer clear of all kinds of storms. Oh, I'm not a portrait-painter for nothing. Your nervous system is shining through all right…Well, you asked me for it, so I've handed it out. But honestly, I wouldn't take on that house. If you feel like that at the beginning, what are you going to feel after a while? It's too risky?"
"Thank you," she said quietly. "I think I will take your advice. I'm afraid I'm rather highly strung by nature, although, oddly enough, not one of my friends appears to have any suspicion of the fact. I pass for being stolid, rather than otherwise. You are almost the first to give me credit for exceptional feelings."
When they had arrived opposite the pier once more, Sherrup took his departure.
So strong was the impression made upon him by Isbel's personality that in the train, before it started, he was induced to commit her elusive features to one of the pages of his precious sketch-book. When it was completed, however, he shook his head with an air of profound dissatisfaction. It was a good likeness, but he still couldn't get that voice into the picture.
Chapter V ISBEL SEES HERSELF
Marshall came down again by train on Friday evening. Judge had replied to him during the week, notifying that he was still considering the question of parting with his house, but hoped before long to come to a definite decision. Meanwhile, no useful purpose would appear to be served by a personal interview with the lady desiring to purchase, but he was willing to undertake to give her the first refusal of the estate. He enclosed the key of the East Room. Marshall communicated only the business part of the letter to Mrs. Moor.
The fine weather continuing, he took the ladies on Saturday for a long run through Sussex and Kent. They wound up with the theatre at night.
On Sunday morning, at the breakfast-table, Isbel announced to her aunt the intention of herself and Marshall to motor over to Runhill Court before lunch. Mrs. Moor, although a rigid churchgoer, manifested neither pleasure not displeasure.
"But you will be back for lunch this time?"
"Oh, yes. Marshall merely wants to carry out his commission."
"I know you don't like the house, so I needn't warn you against prematurely falling in love with it. I've got a strong feeling he won't part with it."
"Why not?" asked Marshall.
"Oh, I've had some experience of these heart-broken old widowers. He's far more likely to pick up another wife than to renounce an old, familiar home. At his time of life he's not so much a man as a bundle of habits."
"Fifty-eight's not so old."
"Too old for a new establishment, but not too old for a new wife," repeated Mrs. Moor with a shade of contempt.
Her niece reached for the marmalade dish. "I expect there are women who would marry him. He must be decently well off."
"Of course-and even quite young girls. If it's beauty he wants he'll find a wife easier to get than a good cook. Mark my words-within twelve months a second Mrs. Judge will be installed in that house."
"I thought you were an admirer of his," said Isbel nonchalantly.
"I admire his thoroughness in practical matters, but that doesn't blind my eyes to probabilities."
"In other words, you think he's treating you badly by keeping you on tenterhooks. Own up, aunt!"
"You're quite mistaken, child. I'm not attacking him. I'm simply finding reasons for his not being able to make up his mind. It's his own house, and he can do what he likes with it."…However, it was obvious that Mrs. Moor was annoyed.
The two younger people left Brighton soon after ten o'clock, and as the road was now more familiar they reached Runhill Lodge almost upon the stroke of eleven. Mrs. Priday did not appear; this time it was her husband who attended the gate. He wore a black coat, in honour of the day, and was smoking a nicotine-stained wooden pipe carved in the likeness of a man's head. Marshall showed him a corner of Judge's letter, with the signature, following it up with a small pourboire, which the head gardener thrust indifferently into his pocket.
"Can we get into the house now?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are you at liberty?"
Priday answered in the affirmative.
"As a matter of fact, it's only one room we have to see. We went over all the rest last time. The East Room. It was locked when we were here before, but I've got the key since."
The gardener gazed at him with his cunning eyes for a moment, and then asked cautiously, as if feeling his way: "Now, why would the boss be having that room opened, sir?"
"Any particular reason why it shouldn't be opened?"
"It's been kept locked up for eight years, sir, and that's one good reason."
"Why?" demanded Isbel.
"Oh, there's nothing there for nobody."
"Then why waste a good lock?"…Finding that Priday did not reply, she proceeded, "I understand its real name is Ulf's Tower?"
"What name?"
"Ulf's Tower."
"I never heard that, miss. In my grandfather's time, the old 'uns used to call it the elves' Tower."
"How extraordinary! I wonder which version is the right one?"
"Well, we can be talking about all this when we get to the house," said Marshall, "if you'll get the key and let us through."
While Priday went into the lodge Isbel closed her eyes and pressed her hand to her forehead.
"I'm afraid I've a headache coming on."
"Is it the sun? If so, the sooner we get inside, the better."
"It must be the hot sun."
the gardener reappeared almost immediately with the key in his hand, and at once set about opening the carriage gate. Marshall got back into the car-Isbel had not alighted-they passed through, the gate was closed behind them, and Priday having been invited to mount, they ran smoothly up the drive, and within a minute or two were outside the house.
As they stood waiting by the door, while Priday fumbled with the lock, the throbbing of Isbel's temples grew so unendurable that she hardly knew how to remain erect.