In the hall of the palace, however, he ran across Spotts, laden with the implements of golf, and all unconscious of his impending fate.
"Look here, old man," said Cecil, "I want to have five minutes' chat with you."
"I am quite at your service," replied his friend. "In fact I was just coming to look you up myself. Now that the war's over, I must really be thinking of going away, as I've imposed long enough already on your hospitality."
"Oh, it isn't about that I want to see you," said Banborough. "It's about your getting married."
"My getting married?" queried Spotts.
"Yes. It seems there's a lady who has matrimonial designs on you. I thought it was only the part of a friend to warn you in due season."
"If it's your aunt," returned the actor, "I'm very much obliged. I think I could manage to get packed up and leave by the afternoon train."
"No, no; it isn't so bad as that," said his host. "Or, rather, it's worse. Miss Arminster has you under consideration."
"As a husband?"
"Yes. I think she means to marry you to-morrow or next day, and have my father perform the ceremony."