‘Justin –’ Hugh came to him, and laid a hand on his arm. ‘Will you sit down, and talk this over – quietly and reasonably?’
The fan paused.
‘Quietly? But did you imagine that I wished to bawl at you?’
‘No. Don’t be flippant, Justin. Sit down.’
Avon went to a chair, and sat upon its arm.
‘When you become excited, my dear, you remind me of an agitated sheep. Quite irresistible, believe me.’
Hugh controlled a quivering lip, and seated himself opposite the Duke. Avon stretched out his hand to where a small spindle-legged table stood and pulled it into place between himself and Davenant.
‘So. I am now reasonably safe. Con
tinue, Hugh.’
‘Justin, I am not jesting –’
‘Oh, my dear Hugh!’
‘– and I want you also to be serious. Put away that damned fan!’
‘It incites you to wrath? If you assault me I shall summon assistance.’ But he shut the fan, and held it so, between his hands. ‘I am all attention, beloved.’
‘Justin, you and I are friends, are we not? Let us for once have plain speaking!’
‘But you always speak plainly, dear Hugh,’ murmured his Grace.
‘You’ve been kind – ay, I admit that – to little Léon; you’ve permitted him to take many liberties with you. At times I’ve hardly recognised you with him. I thought – well, never mind that. And all the while you knew he was a girl.’
‘You are becoming rather involved,’ remarked Avon.
‘She, then. You knew she was a girl. Why have you allowed her to keep up the pretence? What do you mean by her?’
‘Hugh –’ Avon tapped the table with his fan. ‘Your painful anxiety impels me to inquire – what do you mean by her?’
Davenant looked his disgust.
‘My God, do you think you are amusing? I mean this: That I will have her away from you if it costs me my life.’
‘This becomes interesting,’ said Avon. ‘How will you have her away from me, and why?’
‘You can ask that? I never thought you were a hypocrite, Justin.’
Avon unfurled his fan.
‘If you were to ask me, Hugh, why I permit myself to bear with you I could not tell you.’
‘My manners are atrocious. I know it. But I’ve an affection for Léon, and if I allowed you to take her, innocent as he is –’
‘Careful, Hugh, careful!’
‘Oh, she, then! If I allowed that – I –’
‘Calm yourself, my dear. If I did not fear that you would mutilate it I would lend you my fan. May I make known mine intentions?’
‘It’s what I want!’