Fourth Scene: Muswell Hill
The next day Turlington drove to the suburbs, on the chance of finding the
Graybrookes at home again. Sir Joseph disliked London, and could not prevail
on himself to live any nearer to the metropolis than Muswell Hill. When Natalie
wanted a change, and languished for balls, theaters, flower-shows, and the like,
she had a room especially reserved for her in the house of Sir Joseph's married
sister, Mrs. Sancroft, living in that central deep of the fashionable whirlpool
known among mortals as Berkeley Square.
On his way through the streets, Turlington encountered a plain proof that the
Graybrookes must have returned. He was passed by Launce, driving, in
company with a gentleman, in a cab. The gentleman was Launce's brother, and
the two were on their way to the Commissioners of Police to make the necessary
arrangements for instituting an inquiry into Turlington's early life.
Arrived at the gate of the villa, the information received only partially fulfilled the
visitor's expectations. The family had returned on the previous evening. Sir
Joseph and his sister were at home, but Natalie was away again already. She
had driven into town to lunch with her aunt. Turlington went into the house.
"Have you lost any money?" Those were the first words uttered by Sir Joseph
when he and Richard met again, after the parting on board the yacht.
"Not a farthing. I might have lost seriously, if I had not got back in time to set
things straight. Stupidity on the part of my people left in charge--nothing more. It's
Sir Joseph lifted his eyes, with heartfelt devotion, to the ceiling. "Thank God,
Richard!" he said, in tones of the deepest feeling. He rang the bell. "Tell Miss
Graybrooke Mr. Turlington is here." He turned again to Richard. "Lavinia is like
me-- Lavinia has been so anxious about you. We have both of us passed a
sleepless night." Miss Lavinia came in. Sir Joseph hurried to meet her, and took
