第100章

'Perhaps she may. But I know more who are too foolish. I am so much obliged to you for the photograph.'

'Don't mention it.'

'I really did mean that you should send a man down.'

On that occasion the two young people did not see each other. Lady Mary did not come down, and Lady Cantrip lacked the courage to send for her. As it was, might it not be possible that the young man should be induced to make himself agreeable to the young lady without any further explanation? But love-making between young people cannot well take place unless they be brought together.

There was a difficulty in bringing them together at Richmond. The Duke had indeed spoken of meeting Lord Popplecourt at dinner there;--but this was to have followed the proposition which Lady Cantrip should make to him. She could not yet make the proposition, and therefore she hardly knew how to arrange the dinner. She was obliged at last to let the wished-for lover go away without arranging anything. When the Duke should have settled his autumn plans, then an attempt must be made to induce Lord Popplecourt to travel in the same direction.

That evening Lady Cantrip said a few words to Mary respecting the proposed suitor. 'There is nothing I have such a horror of as gambling.'

'It is dreadful.'

'I am very glad to think that Nidderdale does not do anything of that sort.' It was perhaps on the cards that Nidderdale should do things of which she knew nothing. 'I hope Silverbridge does not bet.'

'I don't think he does.'

'There's Lord Popplecout,--quite a young man,--with everything at his own disposal, and a very large estate. Think of the evil he might do if he given that way.'

'Does he gamble?'

'Not at all. It must be such a comfort to his mother.'

'He looks to me as though he never would do anything,' said Lady Mary. Then the subject was dropped.

It was a week after this, towards the end of July, that the Duke wrote a line to Lady Cantrip, apologising for what he had done, but explaining that he had asked Lord Popplecourt to dine at The Horns on a certain Sunday. He had, he said, been assured by Lord Cantrip that such an arrangement would be quite convenient. It was clear from his letter that he was much in earnest. Of course there was no reason why the dinner should not be eaten. Only the specialty of the invitation to Lord Popplecourt must not be so glaring that he himself should be struck by the strangeness of it.

There must be a little party made up. Lord Nidderdale and his wife were therefore bidden to come down, and Silverbridge, who at first consented rather unwillingly,--and Lady Mabel Grex, as to whom the Duke had made a special request that she might be asked. This last invitation was sent express from Lady Mary, and included Miss Cass. So the party was made up. The careful reader will perceive that there were to be ten of them.

'Isn't it odd papa wanting to have Lady Mabel,' Mary said to Lady Cantrip.

'Does he not know her, my dear?'

'He hardly ever spoke to her. I'll tell you what; I expect Silverbridge is going to marry her.'

'Why shouldn't he?'

'I don't know why he shouldn't. She is very beautiful, and very clever. But if so, papa must know all about it. It does seem odd that papa of all people should turn match-maker, or even that he should think of it.'

'So much is thrown upon him now,' said Lady Cantrip.

Lady Mabel was surprised by the invitation, but she was not slow to accept it. 'Papa will be here and will be so glad to meet you.'

Lady Mary had said. Why should the Duke of Omnium wish to meet her? 'Silverbridge will be there too.' Mary had gone on to say.

'It is just a family party. Papa, you know, is not going anywhere; nor am I.' By all this Lady Mabel's thoughts were much stirred, and her bosom somewhat moved. And Silverbridge was also moved by it. Of course he could not but remember that he had pledged himself to his father to ask Lady Mabel to be his wife. He had faltered since. She had been, he thought, unkind to him, or at any rate indifferent. He had surely said enough to her to make her know what he meant; and yet she had taken no trouble to meet him half way. And then Isabel Boncassen had intervened. Now he was asked to dinner in a most unusual manner!

Of all the guests invited Lord Popplecourt was perhaps the least disturbed. He was quite alive to the honour of being noticed by the Duke of Omnium, and alive also to the flattering courtesy shown to him by Lady Cantrip. But justice would not be done him unless it were acknowledged that he had as yet flattered himself with no hopes in regard to Lady Mary Palliser. He, when he prepared himself for his journey down to Richmond, thought much more of the Duke than of the Duke's daughter.

'Oh yes, I can drive you down if you like that kind of thing,'

Silverbridge said to him on the Saturday evening.

'And bring me back?'

'If you will come when I am coming. I hate waiting for a fellow.'

'Suppose we leave at half-past ten.'

'I won't fix any time; but if we can't make it suit there'll be the governor's carriage.'

'Will the Duke go down in his own carriage?'

'I suppose so. it's quicker and less trouble than the railway.'

Then Lord Popplecourt reflected that he would certainly come back with the Duke if he could so manage it, and there floated before his eyes visions of under-secretaryships, all which might own their origin to this proposed drive from Richmond.

At six o'clock on the Sunday evening Silverbridge called for Lord Popplecourt. 'Upon my word,' said he, 'I didn't ever expect to see you in my cab.'

'Why not me especially?'

'Because you're not one of our lot.'

'You'd sooner have Tifto.'

'No, I wouldn't. Tifto is not all a pleasant companion, though he understands horses. You're going in for heavy politics, I suppose.'

'Not particularly heavy.'

'If not, why on earth does the governor take you up? You won't mind my smoking I dare say.' After this there was no conversation between them.