A glad light beamed out on his face as he bore down upon the pair.
“And how is Lady Victoria? I need not ask. Mr. Hammond, this is fortunate!”
Hammond gave a smile, like that of Mr. Charles Hawtrey on the stage when his stage mother-in-law enters and announces that she has come to spend a stage-day with him.
“How much this time, dean?”
The Dean of Colchester drew back; then he put his head on one side and smiled indulgently on his victim.
“He is too bad, isn’t he?” This was to Lady Victoria. “But, do you know, I really was going to write to you this week.”
“How much?” Hammond repeated, drearily.
“Lady Victoria, I appeal to you. I am sure you must think me quite mercenary.”
“Hadn’t you better tell him?” suggested the matter-of-fact Victoria.
The dean shook his head in protest.