"What can Mrs. Octagon have to do with Maraquito?" he asked
amazed.
"Ah! that is the question," replied Caranby, affording no
clue.
"I did not even know she was acquainted with her."
"Perhaps she gambles."
"Even if she did, Maraquito's salon would hardly be the place
she would choose for her amusement. Moreover, Maraquito does
not receive ladies. She has no love for her own sex."
"What woman has?" murmured Caranby, ironically. Then he added
after a pause, "You know that Mrs. Octagon was present when
Emilia fell from the plank in the Rexton house?"
"Yes. She gave evidence at the inquest I understand. But
Selina did not, if Cuthbert informed me rightly."
"Selina was ill in bed. She could not come. Afterwards she
went abroad. I have often wondered," added Caranby, "why
Selina didn't seek me out when death broke my engagement to
Emilia. She loved me, and her father being dead, there would
have been no bar to our marriage. As it was, she threw over
her American and dedicated herself to a hermit's life at
Rexton."
"You never saw her again?"
"Never. I started to travel, and came to London only at rare
intervals. I did write to Selina, asking her to see me, but
she always refused, so I became philosophic and took to
celibacy also."
"Very strange," murmured Jennings, his thoughts elsewhere,
"but this does not explain Mrs. Octagon's visit to the house."
"I am not so sure of that, if you mean Maraquito's house.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166