Lady Molly - The EndWhen we reached home later that afternoon we were met at the garden gate by Mr. Felkin,
Mr. Philip Baddock's friend and agent, who lived with him at Appledore Castle.
Mr. Felkin was a curious personality; very taciturn in manner but a man of considerable
education. He was the son of a country parson, and at the time of his father's death he had
been studying for the medical profession. Finding himself unable to pursue his studies for
lack of means, and being left entirely destitute, he had been forced to earn his living by taking
up the less exalted calling of male nurse. It seems that he had met Mr. Philip Baddock on the
Continent some years ago, and the two young men had somehow drifted into close
acquaintanceship. When the late Sir Jeremiah required a personal nurse-attendant Mr. Philip
Baddock sent for his friend and installed him at Appledore Castle.
Here Mr. Felkin remained, even after the old gentleman's death. He was nominally called Mr.
Baddock's agent, but really did very little work. He was very fond of shooting and of riding,
and spent his life in the pursuit of these sports, and he always had plenty of money to spend.
But everyone voted him a disagreeable bear, and the only one who ever succeeded in
making him smile was Lady Molly, who always showed an unaccountable liking for the
uncouth creature. Even now, when he extended a somewhat grimy hand and murmured a
clumsy apology at his intrusion, she greeted him with effusiveness and insisted on his coming
into the house.
We all turned to walk along the little drive when Mr. Baddock's car came whizzing round the
corner of the road from the village. He pulled up at our gate, and the next moment had joined
us in the drive.
There was a very black look in his eyes as they wandered restlessly from my dear lady's face
to that of his friend. Lady Molly's hand was even then resting on Mr. Felkin's coat sleeve; she
had been in the act of leading him herself towards the house, and did not withdraw her hand
when Mr. Baddock appeared.
"Burton has just called about those estimates, Felkin," said the latter somewhat roughly; "he is
waiting at the Castle. You had better take the car--I can walk home later on."
"Oh! How disappointing!" exclaimed Lady Molly, with what looked uncommonly like a pout. "I
was going to have such a cozy chat with Mr. Felkin--all about horses and dogs. Couldn't you
see that tiresome Burton, Mr. Baddock?" she added ingenuously.
I don't think that Mr. Baddock actually swore, but I am sure he was very near doing so.
"Burton can wait," said Mr. Felkin curtly.
"No, he cannot," retorted Philip Baddock, whose face was a frowning mirror of uncontrolled
jealousy; "take the car, Felkin, and go at once."