“What presumption!” exclaimed Lady Netherby, as the door closed behind him. “But how needlessly Lady Eleanor Darcy must have lowered herself to incur such acquaintanceship!”
Lord Netherby made no reply, but gave a glance towards the still open door of the drawing-room. Her Ladyship understood it at once, and said,—
“Oh, let us release poor Richard from his bondage. Tell him to come in.”
Lord Netherby walked forward; but scarcely had he entered the drawing-room, when he called out, “He 's gone!”
“Gone! when?—how?” cried Lady Netherby, ringing the bell. “Did you see Lord Wall incourt when he was going, Davenport?” asked she, at once assuming her own calm deportment.
“Yes, my Lady.”
“I hope he took the carriage.”
“No, my Lady, his Lordship went on foot.”
“That will do, Davenport. I don't receive to-day.”
“I must hasten after him,” said Lord Netherby, as the servant withdrew. “We have, perhaps, incurred the very hazard we hoped to obviate.”