“Thank you, my lord—for her sake,” said Lord Cecil, grimly.
“Yes. Why doesn’t she come and see me? Tell her to do so, if you please.” He was silent a moment as Lord Cecil bowed, then he added: “The affair is making some stir, I suppose. I’m thinking whether I can summon up courage to give a party—in honor of the event.”
“Pray, don’t take so much trouble, sir,” said Cecil.
“Yes, I suppose I must,” continued the marquis, as if Cecil had not spoken. “It is the usual thing, and she will look for it.”
“I don’t think Lady Grace expects——”
“You know very little of what Lady Grace expects,” he interrupted, with cold contempt. “Tell her to come to me. Wait a moment, please,” he added, as Lord Cecil was making his escape. “I am going to send her a present; that is also due to her. I suppose you have been able to afford her a thirty-shilling ring?”
“I gave rather more than that, sir,” replied Lord Cecil, with a smile.
“Ah! go to that safe, if you please, and bring me one or two of the jewel cases. I will send her something now. Here are the keys—no, they are in that drawer,” and he pointed to the small writing cabinet which always accompanied him, and handed Lord Cecil a small key.
Lord Cecil unlocked the cabinet, got the keys, and was crossing the room to the safe, when the door opened.
“What the devil do you mean by coming in without knocking, sir?” exclaimed the marquis; then, as he saw who it was, he said, in a softer voice: “Oh, it’s you, Spenser, is it? You’ve come in time to hear the news and congratulate the bridegroom.”