The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

sign. Presently, however, she got up and stood in

front of Mrs. Chester (the two women were alone

on the terrace).

"It's quite all right," she said. "It doesn't

matter. But I think--all the same--that we'd bet-ter

call the whole thing off."

She slipped from her finger the signet ring that

Basil had given her--he would buy the real en-gagement

ring later.

"Will you give him back this, Mrs. Chester?

And tell him it's all right--not to worry .... "

"Betty dear, don't! He does love you--really."

"It looks like it, doesn't it?" said the girl with a

98

Agatha Christie

short laugh. "No--I've got some pride. Tell him

everything's all right and that I--I wish him

luck."

When Basil returned at sunset he was greeted by

a storm.

He flushed a little at the sight of his ring.

"So that's how she feels, is it? Well, I daresay

it's the best thing."

"Basil!"

"Well, frankly, Mother, we don't seem to have

been hitting it off lately."

"Whose fault was that?"

"I don't see that it was mine particularly. Jealousy's

beastly and I really don't see why you should get all worked up about it. You begged me

yourself not to marry Betty."