“‘Ah, I see how it is! Perhaps you’d rather have something else—whisky and soda—and cigarettes. Pray don’t hesitate; really, I’m not a bit prudish.’
“‘No, thank you,’ said the dark one, ‘I do not smoke—nor do I ever drink whisky and soda. We are immensely obliged to you for so kindly doing the honours of your cousin’s house—we had no conception of the agreeable surprise Mr. Lovett had arranged for us—or that he had such a refined and distinguished visitor! Good-afternoon.’ And with that, my dear sir, she made me a most elegant bow, and sailed out, followed by her sister! If ever I saw two women shaking the dust off their feet, as they left your compound, it was those ladies. I expect they came to borrow your piano, or a pony, or your cook. Well, I flatter myself they won’t trouble you again!”
Lovett was now sitting down, with his head between his hands, in an attitude that expressed the most measureless despair!
“Hullo, old boy!” cried his brother, wheeling about, “what’s up? What has happened?”
“Everything that could spoil my life has happened,” he said, raising his face to his brother’s astonished gaze. “You have ruined me! Yes, this is the result of your infernal practical joking, and tom-fool craze.”
“My what-t? I don’t understand,” stammered Bobby. “When I was here before, you were nearly crazy with all this plague of women. I thought if I came down, and dressed up a bit, it would be a lark, and——”
“And——?”
“Well, I see I have gone too far, and I’m awfully sorry; but it was such splendid fun—I’ve never known anything to touch it.”
“Play to you, and death to me!”
“Of course I’ve overdone it. I kept acting, and feeling as if I were on the stage. I forgot my audience. I’m frightfully sorry, old boy; what can I do to make amends?”