Therewith carriages were being announced to the heads of families; and with compliments and eager thanks, and assurances that nothing could have been more delightful, the party broke up.
Captain Duncombe, while muffling his boys, declared that he never saw a cleverer hit in his life, and that those two De Lancey brothers ought to be on the stage; while Miss Moy loudly demanded whether he did not feel it personal; and Mrs. Tallboys, gracefully shaking hands with Anne and Rosamond, declared it a grand challenge where the truth had been unconsciously hit off. Cecil was nowhere to be seen.
CHAPTER XVIII
Demonstrations
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.—BURNS
The hours of the soirée had been early; but the breakfast was so irregular and undecided as to time, that no one took much notice of an intimation which Jenkins had received from the grim Mrs. Grindstone that Mrs, Charnock Poynsett would take breakfast in her own room. Indeed, they all felt glad that her views of etiquette did not bind them to their places; for Frank was burning to be off to Sirenwood, forgetting that it was far easier to be too early than too late for Sir Harry Vivian, who was wont to smoke till long after midnight, and was never visible till the midday repast.
And thus it was Lady Tyrrell who came to Frank alone. “Early afoot,” she said; “you foolish, impatient fellow! You will outrun my best advice.”
“Ah! but I’m armed. I always told you we might trust to my mother, and it is all right. She loves Lenore with all her heart, and consents freely and gladly.”
“Indeed! Well, the dear child has made her conquest!”
“I always knew she would when once reserve was broken down.”
“Did you get up the alarm on purpose?”