The Talisman Ring

‘Of course, he must have the ring at once!’ declared Eustacie. ‘Why should she leave it?’

‘Because we must be able to prove that the ring is in the Beau’s possession. Steal it, and it is merely a matter of your word against his. Once we can prove that the Beau has it, Ludovic is cleared. Until then Ludovic is the last person in the world to hold the ring. If Miss Thane can find the panel, and sketch the frieze for us –’

‘Yes,’ said Miss Thane. ‘But I have been trying to tell you for quite some time now that there is a – a trifling hitch. I cannot draw.’

They stared at her in incredulity. ‘Can’t draw ?’ repeated Ludovic. ‘Nonsense, of you course you can! All females can draw!’

‘I can’t.’

‘I thought,’ said Sir Tristram, with a touch of scorn, ‘that drawing and water-colour painting were taught in every young ladies’ seminary?’

‘They may be,’ retorted Sarah, ‘but I still cannot draw.’

‘Well, why the devil can’t you, if you were taught?’ demanded Ludovic reasonably.

‘I had no aptitude,’ explained Sarah.

‘But consider, Sarah!’ said Eustacie. ‘It is most important that you should be able to make just a little drawing!’

‘I know,’ said Sarah. ‘I am very sorry, and I quite see that a person who is unable to draw is unfit to take part in any adventure.’

‘It seems to me,’ said Ludovic, ‘that girls merely waste their time at school.’

‘Yes, and what is worse, I have told Basil that she will bring her sketching-book,’ added Eustacie. ‘Now it appears that she has not got one, and we are quite undone.’

‘If she can’t draw, she can’t,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘I shall have to join your party.’

Eustacie shook her head. ‘No, because I have told Basil that I do not care to see you, and he would think it very odd if you were to be of my party.’

Sir Tristram gave a resigned sigh. ‘You had better let me know at once just what lie it is you have told the Beau. What am I now held to have done?’

Eustacie’s eyes twinkled wickedly. ‘Well, you see, I had to make up a reason why I could not take Sarah to the Court, so I said that you were very angry with me.’

‘Oh, is that all?’ Sir Tristram sounded relieved.

Miss Thane, feeling that she had something to avenge said meditatively: ‘Yes, it was the Beau himself who suggested the rest. No one could really blame Eustacie.’

‘The rest?’

‘Oh, it was nothing to signify!’ said Sarah, with an airy gesture. ‘Mr Lavenham just asked if you were still importuning Eustacie to marry you.’

‘Why should I be doing anything of the sort?’

‘On account of her being an heiress,’ explained Sarah.

Sir Tristram said dryly: ‘Of course. I should have thought of that. I trust neither of you will hesitate to vilify my character whenever it seems expedient to you to do so.’

‘No, of course we shall not,’ Miss Thane assured him.

‘But you do not mind, mon cousin, do you?’

‘On the contrary, I am becoming quite accustomed to it. But I am afraid even your imagination must fail soon. I have been in swift succession a tyrant, a thief and a murderer, and now a fortune-hunter. There is really nothing left.’

‘Oh!’ said Ludovic gaily, ‘we have acquitted you of theft and murder, you know.’

‘True,’ Shield retorted. ‘But as your acquittals are invariably accompanied by fresh and more outrageous slanders, I almost dread the moment when you acquit me of fortune-hunting.’

Eustacie looked a little distressed. ‘But, Tristram, you do not understand! We do not really think you are a fortune-hunter!’