LADY MONTFORT.—“NO, indeed. Hush! we are disturbing Mr. Carr Vipont!”
The Duchess, in awe of Carr Vipont, sinks her voice, and gabbles on, whisperously.
CARR VIPONT (resuming the subject).—“A very fine fortune: what will he do with it?”
COLONEL MORLEY.—“I don’t know; but I had a letter from him some months ago.”
CARR VIPONT.—“You had, and never told me!”
COLONEL MORLEY.—“Of no importance to you, my dear Carr. His letter merely introduced to me a charming young fellow,—a kinsman of his own (no Vipont),—Lionel Haughton, son of poor Charlie Haughton, whom you may remember.”
CARR VIPONT.—“Yes, a handsome scamp; went to the dogs. So Darrell takes up Charlie’s son: what! as his heir?”
COLONEL MORLEY.—“In his letter to me he anticipated that question in the negative.”
CARR VIPONT.—“Has Darrell any nearer kinsman?”
COLONEL MORLEY.—“Not that I know of.”