Lady Bell looked up with rather a start and a flush.
“I—I—don’t quite know,” she said. “I had been thinking of going to a small place we have at Earl’s Court.”
“Earl’s Court!” exclaimed Jack. “Why, that is only thirteen miles or so from the Hurst.”
“Is it?” said Lady Bell. “I didn’t know. I haven’t seen it. I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t made a round of inspection of the property yet. My stewards are always bothering me to do so, but I don’t seem to have time.”
“A sovereign cannot be expected to visit the whole of her kingdom,” said Stephen, with a smile.
Lady Bell sighed.
“I often wish the old earl had left me five hundred a year and a cottage somewhere,” she said, quietly. “I should have been a happier woman. Oh, here is the claret. Give Mr. Newcombe the Lafitte, Simcox. Mr. Davenant——”
“I always follow Jack’s suit,” said Stephen, rising to open the door for the ladies. “He is an infallible guide in such matters.”
“Fancy a woman lamenting the extent of her wealth,” he said, with something like a sneer, as he went back to the table. “If any girl ought to be happy that girl ought to be. What a chance for some young fellow! My dear Jack, if I had been in your place——”
Jack looked up with a tinge of red in his face.