CHAPTER VII.
"/Don John./ How canst thou cross this marriage?
"/Borachio./ Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly, that no dishonesty shall appear in me, my lord."—/Much Ado about Nothing/.
FERRERS and Cesarini were both sitting over their wine, and both had sunk into silence, for they had only one subject in common, when a note was brought to Lumley from Lady Florence.—"This is lucky enough!" said he, as he read it. "Lady Florence wishes to see you, and incloses me a note for you, which she asks me to address and forward to you. There it is."
Cesarini took the note with trembling hands: it was very short, and merely expressed a desire to see him the next day at two o'clock.
"What can it be?" he exclaimed; "can she want to apologise, to explain?"
"No, no, no! Florence will not do that; but, from certain words she dropped in talking with me, I guess that she has some offer to your worldly advantage to propose to you. Ha! by the way, a thought strikes me."
Lumley eagerly rang the bell. "Is Lady Florence's servant waiting for an answer?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well—detain him."
"Now, Cesarini, assurance is made doubly sure. Come into the next room.
There, sit down at my desk, and write, as I shall dictate, to
Maltravers."
"I!"
"Yes, now do put yourself in my hands—write, write. When you have finished, I will explain."
Cesarini obeyed, and the letter was as follows: