"Well, Roland, the irrepressible, from the lips of the women who love him, the mannikin is, dear or cara mia before Tilton Everly to his men friends, and Sir Tilton Everly to society; art satisfied?"
"By no means," he said slyly.
"He is only a gay little sunflower," said Lady Esmondet.
"Sunning himself in woman's smiles, and perhaps, who knows, laying up somewhere out at interest, the smiles he gives in return, but, Roland mon cher, Vaura is not his banker (she has always a hand full of trumps and they are hearts)."
"Yes, there are many bankrupts on your hands, Vaura. I'm beginning to think you've no heart, that's why the mowing business is done," said Roland, half jestingly.
"Happy thought, my dearest boy; at my birth, Cupid, being short of hearts, sent word by Mercury that Vaura Vernon would have to go without, until such time in her life as she was able to win the hearts of some half dozen men; as it would take so many to make a good-sized womanly organ called a heart. Mercury further said I must send so many men away heartless, I would suddenly find myself in possession, of that lovable piece of palpitation; I would then find that piece of feminine sighs too much for me, and would immediately exchange it for a manly one; so you, see, Roland, I cannot have worked enough yet with the agricultural implement; it's hard lines, you cruel boy, and you only jest about, the mower," this she said in mock earnest tones; and continued laughingly, "but then, I shall love only one; now, it is awfully pleasant to love you all."
"From all I hear at home and abroad the mower has been in sure hands," remarked Bertram smilingly.
"Dame Rumour hath many ears to fill," replied Vaura.
"By the way, Vaura, did Sir Tilton Everly say the Haughtons took the 10.30?" asked Lady Esmondet.
"Yes, Dover has been deserted for Surrey; and the untiring little, baronet follows in a month, and confided to me that he would be at my uncle's to welcome us."