When the last guest had departed, the last motor hummed away, Mallender, as he followed Anthony and a lantern to his outdoor quarters, realised that this had indeed been an evening of many impressions! A little later, when Colonel Tallboys had locked up the cigars, he came bustling into his wife's room, and found her locking up her diamonds.
"Your usual success, Fan! The dinner was A1, the mutton hung to a second, and that new champagne is very sound."
"That is your department, my dear. Yes, I think everything went off well, and people enjoyed themselves."
"All except that unfortunate Miss Sim, who looked like a death's head—but then, she doesn't play bridge. I say, what about Geoffrey, eh? He got along all right. I'm glad to see that shyness is not one of his difficulties. Molyneux was much taken with him, but these Cavalry chaps always hang on to one another. After you left, he was a help, talking away to the General, and that shikari man; by the way, you've not said a word to anyone about the reason of his trip?"
"My dear Fred, need you ask?" and Mrs. Tallboys confronted him gravely. "I don't want people to suppose that there is insanity in your family!—not that Geoffrey is insane—he is merely obsessed with an idea. The poor romantic boy was too long alone at Mallender; his father's illness and death got on his nerves. He is naturally cheery, and the change out here, with lots of lively company, will effect a cure; he is a dear fellow, with such nice unaffected, courteous manners, and a bright open face."
"Oh!—I see he has been admiring your china!" declared Colonel Tallboys with a grin of comprehension.
"No; but I may tell you that I, like Colonel Molyneux, am 'much taken with him.'"
"And he with Mrs. Villars?"
"Yes, you noticed that, in spite of William's smothered wrath, I sent him in to dinner with Lena."
"A capital move. Though I thought William looked pretty sick! So you are bent upon strong measures?"