noticed the glass and the back-board in the square bedroom. Unfortunately,
on the back-board somebody had scribbled little sketches, and the initials,
several times repeated: C. S. R. This, however, afforded no clue until she
broke into the hut, and found one of your books, an autobiography of the
actress Judith, with your name, Constance Stewart Reid, on the front page.
After this, for some days she went round loudly saying that my paramour was
no less a person than Lady Chatterley herself. The news came at last to the
rector, Mr Burroughs, and to Sir Clifford. They then proceeded to take legal
steps against my liege lady, who for her part disappeared, having always had
a mortal fear of the police.
Sir Clifford asked to see me, so I went to him. He talked around things
and seemed annoyed with me. Then he asked if I knew that even her ladyship's
name had been mentioned. I said I never listened to scandal, and was
surprised to hear this bit from Sir Clifford himself. He said, of course it
was a great insult, and I told him there was Queen Mary on a calendar in the
scullery, no doubt because Her Majesty formed part of my harem. But he
didn't appreciate the sarcasm. He as good as told me I was a disreputable
character also walked about with my breeches' buttons undone, and I as good
as told him he'd nothing to unbutton anyhow, so he gave me the sack, and I
leave on Saturday week, and the place thereof shall know me no more.
I shall go to London, and my old landlady, Mrs Inger, 17 Coburg Square,
will either give me a room or will find one for me.
Be sure your sins will find you out, especially if you're married and
her name's Bertha---
There was not a word about herself, or to her. Connie resented this. He
might have said some few words of consolation or reassurance. But she knew
he was leaving her free, free to go back to Wragby and to Clifford. She
resented that too. He need riot be so falsely chivalrous. She wished he had
said to Clifford: `Yes, she is my lover and my mistress and I am proud of
it!' But his courage wouldn't carry him so far.
So her name was coupled with his in Tevershall! It was a mess. But that
would soon die down.
She was angry, with the complicated and confused anger that made her
inert. She did not know what to do nor what to say, so she said and did
nothing. She went on at Venice just the same, rowing out in the gondola with
Duncan Forbes, bathing, letting the days slip by. Duncan, who had been
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