“Ah, then I am royal with reason. I confer reputation on lovely woman—rather reversing historical precedent in that matter.”
“But, indeed, our dear Mrs. Mearely has given Your Highness quite an erroneous idea of my friendly ministrations in this house. She is so sensitive. Of course, no one in this dear old town, where she is so well known, would think for a moment that—that ...” finding the sentence difficult to complete, she wound up very emphatically—“Er—No one! Why don’t you say something, Mr. Howard? You are our dear Rosamond’s cousin.”
Mrs. Mearely noted the use of her Christian name, but forbore to administer a snub, knowing that she would soon have a better revenge.
“You seemed to—um—be so full of the right ideas, I could hardly contribute anything,” he replied lamely.
“Ah! But there is even a greater surprise in store for our dear, active Mrs. Witherby. His Highness is like a fairy prince. He brings romance to light wherever he goes. Only to-night, Mrs. Witherby said she had a premonition that an engagement would be announced here, before she left this house. How wonderful to have such a prophetic vision! She discerned—in the crystal of her own pure thoughts—that Mr. Howard’s bachelor days were over.”
She saw that both Mrs. Witherby and Howard started but she gave them no time to interrupt.
“Yes. It is my pride and pleasure, to announce the engagement of my dear, considerate fifth cousin—by marriage—to my friend and confidante, Miss Mabel Crewe. How we have talked secrets to-night, haven’t we, Mabel? There! That is a surprise, isn’t it, Mrs. Witherby? But, think! How distinguished to have your niece’s espousals blessed by royalty! That will give you something to talk about for the next fifty years!”
She had waited a long night for this moment and she made the most of it. Malicious triumph shot electrical sparks from her person. “Call me Rosamond again! Cat!” was in her mind.
One cannot make scenes before royalty. Mrs. Witherby’s claws were clipped. She smiled a vinegary smile.
“It is a surprise—indeed. I am glad to learn that the young people are in such affluent circumstances. I hadn’t known of their windfall.”