Yet in spite of this ebullition, which had greatly exasperated Dr. May, there was every probability that Henry's consent might be wrung out or dispensed with, and plans of attack were being arranged at the tea-table, when a new obstacle in the shape of a note from Leonard himself.
'My Dear Aubrey,
'I am very much obliged to Dr. May and Mr. Cheviot for their kind intentions; but I have quite settled with Mr. Axworthy, and I enter on my new duties next week. I am sorry to leave our corps, but it is too far off, and I must enter the Whitford one.
'Yours,
'L. A. Ward.'
'The boy is mad with pride and temper,' said the Doctor.
'And his sister has made him so,' added Ethel.
'Shall I run down to Bankside and tell him it is all bosh?' said Aubrey, jumping up.
'I don't think that is quite possible under Henry's very nose,' said Ethel. 'Perhaps they will all be tamer by to-morrow, now they have blown their trumpets; but I am very much vexed.'
'And really,' added Mr. Cheviot, 'if he is so wrong-headed, I begin to doubt if I could recommend him.'
'You do not know how he has been galled and irritated,' said the general voice.