The Marsden Case by Ford Madox Ford--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Ford Madox Ford

Author:Ford Madox Ford [FORD, FORD MADOX]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 23 of 46 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER III

So behind that closed mahogany door a good many perturbations must have existed. Marie Elizabeth had just marched straight in on Sir Arthur and, announcing herself as the legitimate daughter of his old friend and chief, Earl Marsden; she had demanded to be provided with certificates proclaiming her British nationality. It had acted like a thunderbolt.

Sir Arthur had a pretty shrewd idea that the girl was actually the daughter of his old friend. Lady Ada, obeying the order in her brother’s letter, had told the statesman that Mr. Heimann supported and answered for these children; was ready to pay for the boy’s election to Parliament, and so on. But Marie Elizabeth boldly announced her ability to prove that she was legitimate. And my brother Fred, in a letter, had butted in with more vigour than he would have allowed himself if that had not been war-time and if he had not been hypnotised by that girl. His letter from his camp in Essex had simply announced that Lady Elizabeth Marsden, known as Marie Elizabeth Heimann, would call on Sir Arthur that morning at that office to claim the protection of the Government against all possible inconveniences arising from her supposedly foreign origins.

It was for Sir Arthur a pretty kettle of fish. He rang up Lady Ada, who was not able to help him much and only insisted that he should treat the girl with every possible politeness and consideration, if only for the sake of her own children in France. Marie Elizabeth, I fancy, had managed to bluff Sir Arthur into half thinking that her father, Mr. Heimann, had sent her certain papers. Lady Ada, over the telephone, expressed her conviction that this was quite possible. Her brother, seeing war approach, might very legitimately desire to make things safe for his daughter; and she merely insisted that everything that could be done for the girl should be done. And Sir Arthur could not very well object. He had, anyhow, to talk in the presence of the girl who sat by the telephone, and of Mr. Carstones, until at last he sent that gentleman out to talk to me.

What was settled at that interview I don’t know: there were many others, and Marie Elizabeth told me nothing about them. All I knew was that, as a result, the Home Office sent instructions to the local police at Froghole to the effect that the girl was to be in no way molested.

No, I did not know what was going on behind that vulgar door. But just because Marie Elizabeth had told me nothing at all, whilst that grey Mr. Carstones let out several things about my brother, a good many things seemed more plain to me.

Thus, for Marie Elizabeth — and possibly for my brother too! — I was an enemy to their brilliant schemes. That I should be so regarded was hateful to me; but it was only the beginning of many hatefulnesses! For, if my simple and direct relative

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