Chapter 94 - Behind a Mask, or a Woman's Power

"'What is that?' asked his sister. "'A bridegroom.' Bella looked to see how Jean received this, but she seemed quite composed as she smiled one of her sudden smiles, and merely said, "'That trifle will doubtless be found when the time comes. Is Miss Beaufort too ill for dinner?' She begs to be excused, and said you would be willing to take her place, she thought. As innocent Bella delivered this message, Jean glanced at Coventry, who evaded her eye and looked ill at ease. "'A little remorse will do him good, and prepare him for repentance after the grand coup,' she said to herself, and was particularly gay at dinner-time, though Coventry looked often at Lucia's empty seat, as if he missed her. As soon as they left the table, Miss Muir sent Bella to her mother, and knowing that Coventry would not linger long at his wine, she hurried away to the hall. A servant was lounging at the door, and of him she asked, in a tone which was eager in spite of all efforts to be calm, "'Is Sir John at home?' "'No, miss, he's just gone to town.' "'Just gone? What do you mean?' cried Jean, forgetting the relief she felt in hearing of his absence, in surprise, at his late departure. "'He went half an hour ago, miss, in the last train, miss. I thought he was going early this morning. He told me he should be back this evening.' I believe he did mean to go, but was delayed by company. The steward came up on business, and a load of gentlemen called, so Sir John could not get off till night, when he wasn't fit to go, being worn out and far from well. "'Do you think he will be ill? Did he look so?' And as Jean spoke, a thrill of fear passed over her, lest death should rob her of her prize. "'Well, you know, miss, hurry of any kind is bad for elderly gentlemen inclined to apoplexy. Sir John was in a worry all day, and not like himself. I wanted him to take his man, but he wouldn't, and drove off looking flushed and excited-like. I'm anxious about him, for I know something is amiss to hurry him off in this way.'