“I intend to drive a hard bargain,” Anthony replied firmly.
His father did not seem to hear him. Instead he went round the table to bend down and kiss his wife.
“Take good care of yourself, my darling,” he exhorted her, “and don’t do too much.”
She turned to him for a moment to say,
“And do not stay too long in the water. I have no wish for you to catch a chill.”
He had kissed her again without saying anything and went from the room.
When he had gone, Lady Rockbourne had said almost as if she spoke to herself,
“Poor Papa! He is so miserable and unhappy over what has occurred and I just don’t know how to comfort him.”
“What can you possibly do, Mama,” Marista had asked, “except try to make him realise that wherever we are, as long as we are together, we can be happy?”
“I am not rea
