Vanishing Point

The deep-set eyes were fixed on Rosamond’s face. They demanded gratitude. They compelled it. Rosamond did the best she could.

“It’s very good of you, Aunt Lydia -”

The “but” which should have followed was never spoken. Miss Crewe had the word again.

“I am glad you should admit it. Young people are only too inclined to take everything for granted. I am prepared to pay Je

Rosamond was on her feet.

“Aunt Lydia, you don’t mean-you can’t mean that you have made all these arrangements without telling us!”

She met a formidable glance.

“You are taking a very strange tone, Rosamond. I have been put to considerable trouble, and I am prepared to undertake very considerable expense. I do not wish to remind you that you and Je

Rosamond’s hands gripped one another.

“I know-Je

Miss Crewe said harshly,

“You have no qualifications for a post in a school. Your place is here where you can make some return, however inadequate, for what I am prepared to do for you.” She lifted some papers and held them out. “Here is a prospectus of the school, and the last letter which I have received from Miss Simmington. You will see that she suggests your bringing Je

Rosamond made no attempt to take the papers.

“Oh, no-no!”

Miss Crewe said sharply,

“Please control yourself! I am prepared to make some allowance for the fact that this seems to have come as a surprise to you, though after the specialist’s last report you should have been prepared. You have, in fact, admitted as much.”

Rosamond spoke with an effort.

“I know-she ought to go to school. But it’s too soon. I must have time-to get her used to the idea. No one-no one would say it would be right to rush her like this. It would upset her- dreadfully.”

Lydia Crewe gave an impatient sigh.

“Really, Rosamond, you will have to watch your tendency to hysteria. If you take this attitude with Je

Rosamond sat down again. She mustn’t let Lydia Crewe shake her. The thing was unreasonable, and she must oppose it in a reasonable ma

“No, of course not. She must go to school, but not at a moment’s notice like this. And before she goes anywhere I should want to go down and see the head mistress, and the school, and the other girls. Je

Miss Crewe had been looking down at her rings. The colours moved under the light of the chandelier. There was a large square ruby jostled by a great half-hoop of diamonds. There was a sapphire which had been given to her great-grandmother by the Regent, and the emerald which had been brought back from the Indies by a Crewe who had sailed with Drake. She looked up now, her eyes colder than the jewels, and said in a new voice-quieter-slower-bleak,

“So you are to call the tune? And take your time about it? Do you really know of no reason why time is just the one thing that neither you nor Je

Rosamond felt cold at her heart.

“What do you mean?”

“You either know what I mean, or you are even stupider than I have thought you. Are you really ignorant of the fact that Je

The colour rushed into Rosamond’s face, only to drain away again and leave her blanched.

Miss Crewe gave a short hard laugh.

“I see you do know. May I ask how long it has been going on?”

“Aunt Lydia, I didn’t know. Someone told me-yesterday- that she had been seen-”

“Who told you?”

“Craig Lester.”

“And who told him?”

“He saw her-himself.”

“In the middle of the night?”

“He had gone for a walk-he couldn’t sleep-”

“Where did he see her?”

Question and answer had come so fast that there had been no time to think. It wasn’t thought that checked her now, it was the instinct to protect, to cover up, to make as little of Je

“She was coming into the drive.”

“And what was Mr. Lester doing there?”

“He was passing by, but when he saw Je

Lydia Crewe said grimly,

“By the side door. I believe that is how she comes and goes. She was lucky not to find it locked against her. If I find it open again, that is what I shall do. Well, now that you have admitted this propensity, will you maintain that it can be allowed to continue? Do you think it is safe or suitable to have Je

Rosamond shook her head.

“Craig said not.”

“Where had she been?”

“I don’t know.”

“What did she have to say for herself?”

“I haven’t asked her anything-yet. It-it was a shock. I wanted time.”

Miss Crewe looked at her with something like a smile.

“Oh, yes, of course-you must have plenty of time. And now that you have had it, are you still going to tell me that there is any to lose? This is Wednesday. If I could have had my way, I would have packed Je

Rosamond got up. She felt the pressure of a formidable will and she had nothing to set against it. It was Je

“You understand me, Rosamond-Je

She said, “Yes,” and went out of the room. There was nothing else for her to say. It was an ultimatum, and they both knew it. Je