“What of them?”
“Oh, a son is at Donisbro’, that’s all.”
“One of the Chichesters?”
“Yes; she called him Hugh.”
Sir Algernon leaned back luxuriously in his chair, stretching out his feet to the cheerful blaze.
“You don’t mean to say that my aunt allowed the child to enter into conversation with him?” St. Quentin’s tone was very sharp; Sir Algernon laughed lightly.
“Don’t look so fierce, old chap. I was the guilty party, I’m afraid. I was escorting her back to Lady Frederica after leaving a parcel with some girl or other, when we ran across this young chemist’s assistant, or whatever he is. They fairly rushed into each other’s arms. I couldn’t interfere very well, you see, though I did venture to suggest, after a lengthy period of patient freezing, that there was a limit to the time he ought to keep her standing in the street. He walked with us to the hotel, and there Lady Frederica choked him off. You needn’t look so furious, Quin, there wasn’t much harm done; only I fancy Miss Sydney isn’t quite the pliable little wax saint you think her, she——”
“Leave her name alone, please!”
“Oh, very well! You’ve grown uncommonly stand-offish of late, my dear chap; you’ll be showing me the door next, eh?” His laugh was not particularly pleasant.