"And yet it will be a glorious day later. The clouds are thinning
already," Sir Jasper went on; "strange, but I never realized, until
this morning, how green--and wonderful--everything is!"
The languid Mr. Chester forgot the mirror, and turned to stare at
Sir Jasper's back, with raised brows, while the man Selby shook his
head, and smiled unpleasantly. As he did so, his eye encountered
me, where I sat, quietly in my corner, smoking my negro-head pipe,
and his thick brows twitched sharply together in a frown.
"In an hour's time, gentlemen," pursued Sir Jasper, "we shall
write 'finis' to a more or less interesting incident, and I beg
of you, in that hour, to remember my prophecy--that it would be
a glorious day, later."
Mr. Chester filled a glass, and crossing to the speaker, tendered
it to him without a word; as for Selby, he stood stolidly enough,
his hands thrust truculently beneath his coat-tails, frowning at me.
"Come," said Mr. Chester persuasively, "Just a bracer!" Sir Jasper
shook his head, but next moment reached out a white, unsteady
hand, and raised the brandy to his lips; yet as he drank, I saw
the spirit slop over, and trickle from his chin.
"Thanks, Chester," said he, returning the empty glass; "is it
time we started yet?"
"It's just half-past seven," answered Mr. Chester, consulting his
watch, "and I'm rather hazy as to the exact place."
"Deepdene Wood," said Sir Jasper dreamily.
"You know the place?"
"Oh, yes!"
"Then we may as well start, if you are ready?"
"Yes, it will be cool and fresh, outside."
"Settle the bill, Selby, we'll walk on slowly," said Mr. Chester,
and, with a last glance at the mirror, he slipped his arm within
Sir Jasper's, and they went out together.
Mr. Selby meanwhile rang for the bill, frowning at me all the time.
"What the devil are you staring at?" he demanded suddenly, in a
loud, bullying tone.
"If you are pleased to refer to me, sir," said I, "I would say
that my eyes were given for use, and that having used them upon
you, I have long since arrived at the conclusion that I don't
like you."
"Ah?" said he, frowning fiercer than ever.
"Yes," said I, "though whether it is your person, your manner, or
your voice that displeases me most, I am unable to say."