Mr. Faradeane looked up gravely.
“That decides it,” he said. “I shall be very pleased to place my poor services at the disposal of so worthy a cause.”
“You see, Olivia!” exclaimed Miss Amelia. “You are always laughing at the society. Now, Mr. Faradeane, whose opinion is, I am sure, of the greatest value, testifies to its great usefulness.”
“Any cause advocated by Miss Vanley,” he said, with a bow, “must necessarily be a laudable and deserving one.”
Miss Amelia simpered and bridled with pleasure, and Olivia turned to hide a smile.
“I am going up to see Bessie,” she said. “Will you come with me, aunt?” and she bowed to Faradeane and nodded smilingly at Bertie.
“Good-morning, Mr. Faradeane,” said Miss Amelia, giving him her hand graciously. “You will not forget. The twenty-ninth, at the schoolroom. I will send you a programme. Let me see; I think I shall put you between the vicar’s concertina and Miss Browne’s ‘Three Little Pigs.’”
“Good gracious!” exclaimed Bertie, aghast.
“I understand, Miss Vanley,” said Mr. Faradeane, with perfect gravity; and, linking his arm in Bertie’s, he raised his hat and walked away.
For some few moments the two men did not speak; then Faradeane said: