“Who is with him?” whispered Olivia to her sister; but not heeding the question, Miss Kennyfeck said,—
“Take my advice, Livy, and get rid of your duenna. You 'll play your own game better.”
Before there was time for rejoinder, Lord Charles Frobisher and Cashel entered the drawing-room.
“You received my note, I hope, Mrs. Kennyfeck,” said Roland, as he accepted her cordially offered hand. “I only this morning got Linton's last bulletin, and immediately wrote off to tell you.”
“That is significant,” whispered Miss Kennyfeck to Olivia. “To give us the earliest intelligence.”
“I trust the announcement is not too abrupt.”
“Of course not,—our only scruple is, the largeness of our party. We are really shocked at the notion of inflicting an entire family upon you.”
“Beware the Bear,” whispered Lord C., in a very adroit undertone,—“don't invite the aunt.”
“My poor house will only be the more honored,” said Cashel, bowing, and sorely puzzled how to act.
“You'll have a very numerous muster, Cashel, I fancy,” said Lord Charles, aloud; “not to speak of the invited, but those 'Umbræ,' as the Romans call them, who follow in the suite of such fascinating people as Mrs. White.”