CHAPTER IV
Though he had had short notice, Haverford managed to get together a few interesting men for dinner the following evening.
The greater part of the large house was not open, but enough was seen to impress and delight Mrs. Brenton.
She admired everything.
"I am full of envy," she said to him.
"So am I," said Camilla. "I want everything I see here, your servants especially. How do you bachelor people always manage to get such good servants? That man of yours, Harper, is a perfect treasure. He is a sort of Monte Cristo—nothing seems difficult or impossible to him. I believe if I were to call him now and say to him, 'Harper, will you please give me the Earth?' he would answer in that quiet way of his, 'I have just put it in your carriage, madam.'"
She was all in white to-night, and looked languid and pensive. Rupert Haverford asked her once if she were tired; she nodded her head.
"Just a little; but that is my own fault. I have been skating at Prince's all the afternoon," she explained. "I wondered if you would come there by any chance. You must promise to go with me one day. It is really rather fun, and it gives one some exercise."
She was sitting in the place of honour. Mrs. Brenton and she were the only ladies.