Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter II. The 16th and 17th of July
Aboutaquartertoseven,Mrs.Inglethorpcalledusthatweshouldbelateassupperwasearlythatnight.Wehadratherascrambletogetreadyintime;andbeforethemealwasoverthemotorwaswaitingatthedoor.
Theentertainmentwasagreatsuccess,Mrs.Inglethorp’srecitationreceivingtremendousapplause.TherewerealsosometableauxinwhichCynthiatookpart.Shedidnotreturnwithus,havingbeenaskedtoasupperparty,andtoremainthenightwithsomefriendswhohadbeenactingwithherinthetableaux.
Thefollowingmorning,Mrs.Inglethorpstayedinbedtobreakfast,asshewasratherovertired;butsheappearedinherbriskestmoodabout12.30,andsweptLawrenceandmyselfofftoaluncheonparty.
“SuchacharminginvitationfromMrs.Rolleston.LadyTadminster’ssister,youknow.TheRollestonscameoverwiththeConqueror—oneofouroldestfamilies.”
MaryhadexcusedherselfonthepleaofanengagementwithDr.Bauerstein.
Wehadapleasantluncheon,andaswedroveawayLawrencesuggestedthatweshouldreturnbyTadminster,whichwasbarelyamileoutofourway,andpayavisittoCynthiainherdispensary.Mrs.Inglethorprepliedthatthiswasanexcellentidea,butasshehadseveralletterstowriteshewoulddropusthere,andwecouldcomebackwithCynthiainthepony-trap.
Weweredetainedundersuspicionbythehospitalporter,untilCynthiaappearedtovouchforus,lookingverycoolandsweetinherlongwhiteoverall.