The adulteress

"Neat," said the doctor, "and true. In any case I'm delighted with Andrew since his marriage, and now that he has a son ... why, he could live to be a hundred."

"By the way," I said, "we are going to have a housewarming. I do hope you will come."

"I will with pleasure," he said.

"I am delighted."

"You'd better put him on the list," said Isabel.

"I shall remember," I said. I rose. I had a great deal to do back at the house, I explained, and I should be seeing Isabel again soon.

"Did you come on horseback?" asked the doctor.

I said I had.

"Then let us ride back together. I pass Eversleigh on my way to the town."

So we rode out together. We talked of many things on the way back, of the countryside, the hospital and his practice, of our return to Eversleigh.

As we walked our horses along the winding path that led to the house a rider came toward us. To my dismay I saw that it was Evalina.

She halted as she came up to us.

"Good day to you both," she said. Her eyes were sly as they ranged over us. "A lovely day to take a ride."

"Good day," I said and urged my horse on.

Dr. Forster bowed to Evalina and walked his horse behind mine. I felt the color rising in my neck. That look in Evalina's eyes disturbed me. What was she suggesting? That I was another such as I was sure she was? That I could pass from one man to another with the ease of a harlot?

There was so much in that look. Every time it said: We are two of a kind.

Of one thing I was certain: I would not put her on my list of guests. I could not have her at Eversleigh. I should be reminded of her mother ... and perhaps at the back of my mind was the fear of the hints she might drop ... perhaps to Jean-Louis.

The doctor had brought his horse to walk beside mine.

"You look annoyed," he said.

"It must be that woman. She reminds me ..."

"I suppose she is not to blame for her mother's misdeeds. But I know how you feel."

"I shall not ask her to Eversleigh."

"Oh ... the housewarming, you mean. I don't think for a moment that her husband would be able to come. I was saying how much better he was but he is still an old man. Such festivities are not for him and he would be the first to admit it."

"Then he wouldn't expect an invitation."

"I'm sure he wouldn't."

"That makes it easier."

We had stopped. He was giving me another of those steady glances.

"I hope," he said, "that someday you will come and see my hospital."

"I should like that."

He bowed his head and turned away.

I rode into the stables. It had been a most enjoyable morning apart from the meeting with Evalina in the lane.

Preparations were going ahead. Jean-Louis thought it was an excellent way of bringing everyone together and showing them that life at Eversleigh was going to be as it had been in the days of Carleton, Leigh and General Carl. The manor house should be the center of the community. The farmers were pleased. It was different taking one's grievances to a landowner rather than merely to his manager. They had all been shocked to learn that they had a criminal in their midst; and although the affair had provided a great flutter of excitement while it had lasted, there was nothing like normality to bring prosperity to an estate—and when that was present everyone could benefit from it.

I heard through Charles that Andrew Mather was confined to his bed with rheumatism, so I felt that I was justified in not sending an invitation to Grasslands.

The new cook, Mrs. Baines, was in her element: the servants were in a state of perpetual excitement decorating the place with the help of the gardeners; the house was filled with the smells of cooking, and the main topic of conversation was the party.

Lottie seemed to be everywhere; she tried on her dress ten times a day, danced round the ball room with imaginary partners, was in the kitchen tasting the various cakes and sweetmeats; prevailing on Mrs. Baines to cook her what she called little tasters.

"I wish," said Lottie, "that we had a party every day."

"That would be far too much," I assured her.

"Well, one a week," she temporized.

Lessons which she had taken with me since we came to Eversleigh we passed over for a few days. I had warned her that as soon as we were settled we must look for a governess. Lottie grimaced but she could not think beyond the party.

It was about three days before the party when having walked over to Enderby for a chat with Isabel to tell her of the final plans for the great day, I encountered Evalina.

I believed that she had lain in wait for me.

"Oh ... good day to you," she cried. "You must be very busy getting ready for your party."

"Good day," I replied. "Yes, I am." I prepared to pass on. But she was barring my way with that sly look in her eyes.

"All the neighborhood will be there," she said. "So I hear ... but there are exceptions."

"It is impossible to ask everyone, I suppose," I said.

"Impossible? Oh no, not that. Unneighborly, I'd say."

I replied: "I didn't send you an invitation. I know that your husband is not fit to come."

"But I am," she said.