I was afraid you were going to say good-bye to some of your friends—to Tom Hardy, who gave you that hideous pipe, or Ned Langton, who makes fun of you for smoking it.
It is very sweet of you to let me have your last afternoon.
Where shall we go?
Let us go to the Park."
"I am too shabby," he answered, frowning. "Only swell people go to the Park."
"Nonsense, Jim," she whispered, stroking the sleeve of his coat.
He hesitated for a moment. "Very well," he said at last, "but don't be too long dressing."
She danced out of the door. One could hear her singing as she ran upstairs.
Her little feet pattered overhead.
He walked up and down the room two or three times.
Then he turned to the still figure in the chair.
"Mother, are my things ready?" he asked.
"Quite ready, James," she answered, keeping her eyes on her work.
For some months past she had felt ill at ease when she was alone with this rough, stern son of hers.
Her shallow secret nature was troubled when their eyes met.
She used to wonder if he suspected anything.
The silence, for he made no other observation, became intolerable to her.
She began to complain.
Women defend themselves by attacking, just as they attack by sudden and strange surrenders.
"I hope you will be contented, James, with your sea-faring life," she said. "You must remember that it is your own choice.
You might have entered a solicitor's office.
Solicitors are a very respectable class, and in the country often dine with the best families."
"I hate offices, and I hate clerks," he replied. "But you are quite right. I have chosen my own life.
All I say is, watch over Sibyl.
Don't let her come to any harm.
Mother, you must watch over her."
"James, you really talk very strangely.
Of course I watch over Sibyl."
"I hear a gentleman comes every night to the theatre, and goes behind to talk to her.
Is that right?
What about that?"
"You are speaking about things you don't understand, James.
In the profession we are accustomed to receive a great deal of most gratifying attention.
I myself used to receive many bouquets at one time.
That was when acting was really understood.
As for Sibyl, I do not know at present whether her attachment is serious or not.
But there is no doubt that the young man in question is a perfect gentleman.
He is always most polite to me.
Besides, he has the appearance of being rich, and the flowers he sends are lovely."
"You don't know his name, though," said the lad, harshly.
"No," answered his mother, with a placid expression in her face. "He has not yet revealed his real name.
I think it is quite romantic of him.
He is probably a member of the aristocracy."
James Vane bit his lip.
"Watch over Sibyl, mother," he cried, "watch over her."
"My son, you distress me very much.
Sibyl is always under my special care.
Of course, if this gentleman is wealthy, there is no reason why she should not contract an alliance with him.
I trust he is one of the aristocracy.
He has all the appearance of it, I must say.