“She hadn’t that character in the world, I assure you.”
“But Reginald would be the last to hear of that; and if he had, she would have persuaded him that the women were jealous of her, and so tried to injure her with him. An artful woman can so easily manage her husband.”
“Indeed!” said Sir Lawrence, laughing; “that is a bad lookout for me.”
“I am not artful, sir! How dare you speak in that way to baby’s mama?”
“I see baby’s mama is a very important person. I only hope that baby’s papa is not going to be put entirely aside on his account. I begin to fear lest I have a very influential rival near the throne. If the boy is to divide us, instead of drawing us closer together, I shall wish he had never been born.”
“You dear, foolish man!” she said, understanding perfectly the jealous feeling that prompted this speech.
Lord Teignmouth looked very shamefaced when he first presented himself before his sister, but Lady Gwendolyn soon set him at his ease. She put her arms round his neck, and said heartily:
“I am so glad to see you again, dear old fellow! Don’t let us talk about anything disagreeable.”
And as he was very glad to be spared, and knew he should have opportunities of showing what he was not allowed to say, he gave in at once, and covered his embarrassment by asking to see “our heir.”
Two days later Sir Lawrence took his wife to Milworth Abbey, where there were fine rejoicings, we may be sure. The house had been useless to the neighborhood, socially speaking, for years, and every one was glad to welcome a brighter reign.