But in the interim Dr. Martineau had the pleasure of meeting Lady Hardy
at a luncheon party. He was seated next to her and he found her a very
pleasing and sympathetic person indeed. She talked to him freely and
simply of her husband and of the journey the two men had taken together.
Either she knew nothing of the circumstances of their parting or if she
did she did not betray her knowledge. "That holiday did him a world of
good," she said. "He came back to his work like a giant. I feel very
grateful to you."
Dr. Martineau said it was a pleasure to have helped Sir Richmond's work
in any way. He believed in him thoroughly. Sir Richmond was inspired by
great modern creative ideas.
"Forgive me if I keep you talking about him," said Lady Hardy. "I wish I
could feel as sure that I had been of use to him."
Dr. Martineau insisted. "I know very well that you are."
"I do what I can to help him carry his enormous burthen of toil," she
said. "I try to smooth his path. But he is a strange silent creature at
times."
Her eyes scrutinized the doctor's face.
It was not the doctor's business to supplement Sir Richmond's silences.
Yet he wished to meet the requirements of this lady if he could. "He is
one of those men," he said, "who are driven by forces they do not fully
understand.
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