The Mystery Queen | Page 4

interview had tried even her amiable temper. "Just now he is
seething with indignation that an aviator should dare to raise his eyes to
you."
"Aviators generally look down," said Dan flippantly; "am I to be
allowed to take you and Lillian to the theatre this evening?"
"Yes. Although Sir Charles mentioned that you would do better to
spend your money on other things than mere frivolity."
"Oh!" said Halliday with a shrug, "as to that, this particular frivolity is
costing me nothing. I got the box from Freddy Laurance, who is on that
very up-to-date newspaper 'The Moment' as a reporter. I have dined at
my future father-in-law's expense, and now I go in his motor-car
without paying for the trip. I don't see that my pleasures could cost me
less. Even Sir Charles must be satisfied with such strict economy."
"Sir Charles will be satisfied with nothing save a promise for you to go
away and leave Lillian alone," said Mrs. Bolstreath, sadly; "he has no
feeling of romance such as makes me foolish enough to encourage a
pauper."
"You called me that before," said Dan, coolly; "well, there's no getting
over facts. I am a pauper, but I love Lillian."
"And I--" began Lillian, advancing, only to be waved back and
prevented from speaking further by Mrs. Bolstreath.

"Don't make love before my very eyes," she said crossly; "after all I am
paid to keep you two apart, and--and--well, there's no time for coffee,
so we had better finish the discussion in the car. There is plenty of time
between Hampstead and the Strand to allow of a long argument. And
remember, Dan," Mrs. Bolstreath turned at the door to shake her finger,
"this is your last chance of uninterrupted conversation with Lillian."
"Let us make honey while the flowers bloom," whispered Halliday,
poetically, and stole a final and hasty kiss before he led the girl after the
amiable dragon, who had already left the room.
The lovers found her talking to a poorly-dressed and rather stout female
clothed in rusty mourning, who looked the picture of decent but
respectable poverty. The entrance door stood open, and the waiting
motor-car could be seen at the steps, while the footman stood near Mrs.
Bolstreath, watching her chatting to the stranger and wearing an injured
expression. It seemed that the decent woman wished to see Sir Charles,
and the footman had refused her admission since his master was not to
be disturbed. The woman--she called herself Mrs. Brown and was
extremely tearful--had therefore appealed to the dragon, who was
explaining that she could do nothing.
"Oh, but I am sure you can get Sir Charles Moon to see me, my lady,"
wailed Mrs. Brown with a dingy handkerchief to her red eyes, "my son
has been lost overboard off one of those steamers Sir Charles owns, and
I want to ask him to give me some money. My son was my only
support, and now I am starving."
Lillian knew that her father owned a number of tramp steamers, which
picked up cargoes all over the world, and saw no reason why the
woman should not have the interview since her son had been drowned
while in Moon's service. The hour was certainly awkward, since Sir
Charles had an appointment before he went down to the House. But a
starving woman and a sorrowful woman required some consideration,
so she stepped forward hastily and touched Mrs. Brown's rusty cloak.
"I shall ask my father to see you," she said quickly; "wait here!" and
without consulting Mrs. Bolstreath she went impulsively to her father's

study, while Mrs. Brown dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief and
called down blessings on her young head.
Dan believed the story of the lost son, but doubted the tale of starvation,
as Mrs. Brown looked too stout to have been without food for any
length of time. He looked hard at her face, which was more wrinkled
than a fat woman's should be; although such lines might be ascribed to
grief. She wept profusely and was so overcome with sorrow that she let
down a ragged veil when she saw Dan's eager gaze. The young
gentleman, she observed, could not understand a mother's feelings, or
he would not make a show of her by inquisitive glances. The remark
was somewhat irrelevant, and the action of letting down the veil
unnecessary, but much might be pardoned to a woman so obviously
afflicted.
Dan was about to excuse his inquiring looks, when Lillian danced back
with the joyful information that her father would see Mrs. Brown for a
few minutes if she went in at once. "And I have asked him to help you,"
said the girl, patting the fearful woman's shoulder, as she passed to the
motor-car. "Oh!