"Then it is real stealing—and it spoils my chatelaine," I said, holding up the empty chain.
"I will give you another in its place, but I must keep this one."
"That is silly—why?"
"It is very agreeable to do silly things sometimes—for instance, I should like—"
What he would have liked I never knew, for at that moment we both caught sight of Augustus getting out of his station brougham at our gate.
"Here comes your bear," said Sir Antony, but he did not attempt to stir from his seat. We could see Augustus walk up the path and turn the handle of the front door without ringing. In this impertinence I am glad to say he was checked, as Hephzibah had fortunately let the bolt slip after showing in Lady Tilchester. He rang an angry peal. Grandmamma frowned.
When Augustus finally got into the room his face was purple. He had hardly self-control enough to greet Lady Tilchester with his usual obsequiousness. She talked charmingly to him for a few moments, and then got up to go.
Meanwhile Sir Antony had been conversing with me quite as if no fiancé had entered the room.
"You know we are cousins," he said.
"Very distant ones."