“And you see, Captain Thistlewood,” continued Lady Selina, feeling her line with dexterity and caution,—“you see that there is a freedom to be enjoyed in a life of independence, which must necessarily be resigned by any one forming a member of a large establishment. One is not tied down to hours—one can indulge little fancies and tastes without encroaching upon the comfort of others.” She paused and glanced at her auditor, to see whether she might venture on a little stronger pull.
The face of the captain was becoming quite radiant. “You feel and think exactly as I do, ma’am,” he exclaimed.
“It must be so painful to a refined mind,” pursued the lady, “to contemplate the possibility of being a little in the way of causing any inconvenience,—any disturbance of arrangements,—any—”
“Any bickerings in the family, you would say,” eagerly joined in the captain; “yes, yes, you express my very thoughts. It does not do to have many wills in one house,—one pulling this way, another that. It is far better to meet now and then as good friends, than to live under one roof with perpetual jarring.”
“Then, perhaps, you perceive the advisability of soon looking out—”
“Looking out for lodgings?” interrupted the old gentleman. “I’ll do so with the greatest pleasure in life! I’m quite at your ladyship’s service. I’ll hunt half London over, but I will get a place to suit you!”
“To suit me!” exclaimed the astonished lady. As the words were upon her lips Clemence re-entered the room, and her uncle, too full of his success to keep it to himself, cried out as he got up to meet her, “Had we not better put off our walk, Clemence? I’m going off at once to look for lodgings for Lady Selina in Bloomsbury Square.”
Clemence’s blue eyes opened wide in astonishment; she turned them inquiringly towards Lady Selina, who rose from her seat with the dignity of which even surprise and anger could not deprive her. “There are some people,” she said bitterly, “who mistake impertinence for wit, and pride themselves on their talent for raising a laugh, even if it be at their own expense. Captain Thistlewood is an adept in the art; but he may learn that under my brother-in-law’s roof such jesting may be carried too far;” and she swept out of the room without vouchsafing a single word of explanation to the wondering Clemence.
The captain remained perfectly silent until the rustle of the lady’s silk was heard no more on the staircase, and then burst into a loud fit of uncontrollable mirth. “A regular Irish blunder!” he exclaimed, as soon as he could command his voice; “Politeness and Policy bowing each other so ceremoniously out of the house, that they knocked their heads together at the door!” and he laughed and chuckled over his own mistake, and that of the astute Lady Selina, long after he and Clemence had quitted Belgrave Square on their way to the scene of the skating.