“Well, you see, in Pelham’s position, we must entertain, and I make it a rule to have a dinner once a week.”
“You are quite a providence to the station!” cried her visitor affectedly. “How pretty those grasses are. I suppose Honor arranged them? What a useful girl she is!”
“Yes, she takes all trouble off my hands. I don’t know how I shall ever get on without her.”
“How lucky for you, that there is no chance of her leaving you! My dear, that was a most unfortunate affair about Mr. Jervis.”
“What do you mean?” inquired Mrs. Brande, whose crest began to rise.
“Oh,” with a disagreeable laugh, “it is what did he mean! He paid Honor the most devoted attention, and the moment he was revealed in his true colours—he fled. No one knows what has become of him.”
“Pardon me—we do!” returned his champion, with a quiver of her double chin.
“And—where is he, dear? what is he doing?”
“He is doing a good—a noble action. Putting himself and his wishes aside for the sake of others,” returned Mrs. Brande in a white heat of emotion.
“Oh well,” rather disconcerted, “if you and Honor, and above all Mr. Brande, are satisfied, of course there is no more to be said——”