It was not really possible that those people
--those well-bred, well-looking people--had seriously
contemplated an enormity which seemed to belong to the back pages
of history, or that he, Tavernake, had burst through a wall with
no weapons in his hand, and had dominated the situation! He sat
there steadily thinking. It was incredible, but it was true!
There existed still in his mind some faint doubt as to whether
they would really have proceeded to extremities. Pritchard
himself had made light of the whole affair, afterwards had
treated it, indeed, as a huge practical joke. Tavernake,
remembering that little group as he had first seen it, remained
doubtful.
By degrees, his own personal characteristics began to assert
themselves. He began to wonder how his action would affect his
commercial interests. He had probably made an enemy of this
wonderful sister of Beatrice's, the woman who had so completely
filled his thoughts during the last few days, the woman, too, who
was to have found the money by means of which he was to set his
feet upon the first rung of the ladder. This was a thing, he
decided, which must be settled at once. He must see her and know
exactly what terms they were on, whether or not she meant to be
off with her bargain. The thought of action of any sort was
stimulating. He rose and dressed, had his breakfast, and set out
on his pilgrimage.
Soon after eleven o'clock, he presented himself at the Milan
Court and asked for Mrs.
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