"You make me curious," I interrupted him, "to become acquainted with the lady."
"Then let me present you!" said he eagerly.
"You see, Morrice," said Elmscott, "he has such solid grounds for confidence that he has no fear of rivals."
"Nay, the truth is, she has a passion for fresh faces."
"Indeed!" said I.
"Oh, most extraordinary! A veritable passion, and no one so graciously received as he who brings a stranger to her side. For that reason," he added naïvely, "I would fain present you;" and then he suddenly stopped and surveyed me, shaking his head doubtfully the while.
"But Lard! Mr. Buckler," he said, "you must first get some new clothes."
"The clothes are good enough," I laughed, for I was dressed in my best suit, and though 'twas something more modest than my Lord Culverton's attire, I was none the less pleased with it on that account.
"Rabbit me, but I daren't!" he said. "I daren't introduce you in that suit. I daren't, indeed! My character would never survive the imputation, strike me purple if it would! 'Tis a very yeoman's habit, and reeks of the country. I can smell onions and all sorts of horrible things, burn me!"
"I will run the risk, Morrice," interposed Elmscott. "Dine with me to-day at Lockett's, and I will take you to the Countess' lodging in Pall Mall afterwards. But Culverton's right. You do look like a Quaker, and that's the truth."