“There, you 'd better dress. You are always late. And tell the people here to serve oysters every day till I countermand them; and taste the Capri, please; I prefer it to Sauterne, if it be good. The telegram can wait.”
“I was going to mention, my Lord, that Prince Castelmuro has called twice to-day, and begged he might be informed of your arrival. Shall I write him a line?”
“No. The request must be replied to by him to whom it was addressed,—the landlord, perhaps, or the laquaisde-place.”
“The King is most anxious to learn if you have come.”
“His Majesty shall be rewarded for his courteous impatience. I shall ask an audience to-morrow.”
“They told me dinner was served,” said Lady Culduff, angrily, as she entered the room, dressed as if for a court entertainment; “and I hurried down without putting on my gloves.”
“Let me kiss your Ladyship's hand so temptingly displayed,” said he, stooping and pressing it to his lips.
An impatient gesture of the shoulder, and a saucy curl of the lip were the only response to this gallantry.
A full half-hour before Lord Culduff appeared Temple Bramleigh re-entered, dressed for dinner.
“Giacomo is at his old tricks, Temple,” said she, as she walked the room impatiently. “His theory is that every one is to be in waiting on my Lord; and I have been here now close on three-quarters of an hour, expecting dinner to be announced. Will you please to take some trouble about the household, or let us have an attaché who will?”