Towards Zero Read Online Free PDF

has any standards nowadays!”
    “I suppose it is just the modern way,” said Mary.
    “It won't happen in my house,” said Lady Tressilian. “I consider I've done all that could be asked of me having that scarlet-toed creature here at all.”
    “She is Nevile's wife.”
    “Exactly. Therefore I felt that Matthew would have wished it. He was devoted to the boy and always wanted him to look on this as his home. Since to refuse to receive his wife would have made an open breach, I gave way and asked her here. I do not like her - she's quite the wrong wife for Nevile - no background, no roots!”
    “She's quite well born,” said Mary placatingly.
    “Bad stock!” said Lady Tressilian. “Her father, as I've told you, had to resign from all his clubs after that card business. Luckily he died shortly after. And her mother was notorious on the Riviera. What a bringing-up for the girl! Nothing but hotel life - and that mother! Then she meets Nevile on the tennis courts, makes a dead set at him and never rests until she gets him to leave his wife - of whom he was extremely fond - and go off with her! I blame her entirely for the whole thing!”
    Mary smiled faintly. Lady Tressilian had the old-fashioned characteristic of always blaming the woman and being indulgent towards the man in the case.
    “I suppose, strictly speaking, Nevile was equally to blame,” she suggested.
    “Nevile was very much to blame,” agreed Lady Tressilian. “He had a charming wife who had always been devoted - perhaps too devoted - to him. Nevertheless, if it hadn't been for that girl's persistence, I am convinced he would have come to his senses. But she was determined to marry him! Yes, my sympathies are entirely with Audrey. I am very fond of Audrey.”
    Mary sighed. “It has all been very difficult,” she said.
    “Yes, indeed. One is at a loss to know how to act in such difficult circumstances. Matthew was fond of Audrey, and so am I, and one cannot deny that she was a very good wife to Nevile, though perhaps it is a pity that she could not have shared his amusements more. She was never an athletic girl. The whole business was very distressing. When I was a girl, these things simply did not happen. Men had their affairs, naturally, but they were not allowed to break up married life.”
    “Well, they happen now,” said Mary bluntly.
    “Exactly. You have so much common sense, dear. It is of no use recalling bygone days. These things happen, and girls like Kay Mortimer steal other women's husbands and nobody thinks the worse of them!”
    “Except people like you, Camilla!”
    “I don't count. That Kay creature doesn't worry whether I approve of her or not. She's too busy having a good time. Nevile can bring her here when he comes and I'm even willing to receive her friends - though I do not much care for that very theatrical-looking young man who is always hanging round her - what is his name?”
    “Ted Latimer?”
    “That is it. A friend of her Riviera days - and I should very much like to know how he manages to live as he does.”
    “By his wits,” suggested Mary.
    “One might pardon that. I rather fancy he lives by his looks. Not a pleasant friend for Nevile's wife! I disliked the way he came down last summer and stayed at the Easterhead Bay Hotel while they were here.”
    Mary looked out of the open window. Lady Tressilian's house was situated on a steep cliff overlooking the river Tern. On the other side of the river was the newly created summer resort of Easterhead Bay, consisting of a big sandy bathing beach, a cluster of modern bungalows and a large hotel on the headland looking out to sea. Saltcreek itself was a straggling, picturesque fishing village set on the side of a hill. It was old-fashioned, conservative and deeply contemptuous of Easterhead Bay and its summer visitors.
    The Easterhead Bay Hotel was nearly exactly opposite Lady Tressilian's house, and Mary looked across the narrow strip of water at it now where it