Peter Provost, a member of the New York
family and connection of the Jannans, had, since the elder Jannan's
death, charge of the family's interest in the banking firm of Provost,
Jannan and Provost. He occupied, Howat knew, a position of general
advisor to Charlotte and her children. He was a large man who had never
lost the hardness of a famous university career in the football field,
with a handsome, cold countenance and spiked, grey moustache. He shook
hands with Howat Penny, and plunged directly into his present purpose.
"Kingsfrere," he said, "has heard some cheap stuff in the city,
principally about that young Polder married last fall. Personally, I
laughed at it, but Charlotte seemed upset. This Polder's wife, an
actress, has left her husband, and gone back to the stage because--so
Byron asserted; you know Byron--Mariana had broken up their home."
"Old Polder said just that," Kingsfrere affirmed. "And that wasn't
all--he added that Mariana was out here with the fellow."
Provost laughed.
"Well," Howat Penny replied, "James Polder is staying at Shadrach. He
was asked here because his health was threatening. He had two weeks
leave; and, although I wasn't really anxious, I said he might recuperate
with me.
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