"Don't betray me! Pups used to say a general overlooks nothing to win the victory."
CHAPTER XXII.
FAILURE.
A few select guests were expected at Aldersfield for an early dinner party before the concert. Lady Dove was radiant. She was giving a grand party at which all the honour and none of the expense was going to fall on her. Even Miss Grossman had come in for smiles as she read a novel whilst her ladyship's hair was arranged, and for once punctuality was rewarded, for Lady Southbourne arrived very early with many apologies, which she hoped dear Lady Dove would accept. Her husband and son had gone to town on business and might be a little late, so she had come on first and they would come later in a dog-cart. Lady Dove was charmed.
"It is so kind of you, Lady Southbourne, to come at all this foggy evening. I am always ready early in case a guest does come. My husband and Antonia are usually late, but of course to-day there has been a good deal to arrange. We have turned the barn into a concert-room, and it is really very pretty. I wanted all our friends of North Downshire to come. The country has been a little dull lately."
"Miss Whitburn has told me your party would be a great success. The star's name is a secret, I hear."
"Yes, one of Antonia's little secrets! Of course I never interfere with her plans now she is of age, but I must say I feel rewarded when I look back on the training of the wild colt she was when we first took her, little dreaming of the result."
"It must be an immense pleasure for you—though a girl with money is a responsibility, isn't she?"
"Ah! no one knows how many anxious thoughts I have had on that subject."
"And that was what I really wanted to ask you about, dear Lady Dove. I want your—help and sympathy."