“If you say so!” said the marquis, with an inclination of the head, which brought the color to Lord Cecil’s face, and caused him to mutter:
“I can’t stand this much longer.”
“I beg your pardon?” said the marquis, blandly.
In his embarrassment Lord Cecil seized the decanter, and poured out a glass of wine, and the ghost of a smile crossed the marquis’ face.
“It is rather singular that Lady Grace should have mentioned the army,” he said. “It reminded me that I wanted to speak to you on the subject. First let me thank you for complying with my desire.”
Lord Cecil smiled, but rather grimly.
“I don’t think I could have done otherwise, sir,” he said.
“Ah! true—yes. I think, if I remember rightly, that I made the continuance of your allowance subject to your resigning. No doubt you thought the condition rather arbitrary. Permit me to explain it. I could not afford it.”
Lord Cecil stared in an unfeigned astonishment, which appeared to give the marquis immense satisfaction.
“I generally avoid business matters,” he said, slowly, and as smoothly as ever; “I leave them to my steward and lawyer. But I think we had better speak of them—it is a good opportunity! It will surprise you to hear, no doubt, that I am a poor man!”