The gentlemen got all together, and passed the Lackland port about with alacrity, for now they felt that they were free to please themselves, and would not be disposed of by Lady Lackland like a set of children at a form round a table.
Bertie and the captain made Leicester and Lord Fitz laugh, and Mr. Dodson drank the port for half an hour, then went into the drawing-room.
Two pairs of eyes were raised with something like a welcome: Ethel's and Violet's.
The two girls were seated very close together, talking in a low voice. Violet was telling Ethel the ghost story, and Ethel was trying to convince her that she was the victim of a delusion.
As the gentlemen entered Violet said, quickly and with a slight flush:
"Hush! do not let us talk about it any more."
"Why?" said Ethel.
"Because," said Violet, with her usual candor and openness. "I promised Mr. Leicester Dodson I would try and forget it."
Leicester dropped into the vacant seat beside Violet without any hesitation.
Bertie, taking courage from Leicester, sauntered up to Lady Ethel, and the two pairs were now very comfortable and happy. But their delight was of short duration.