Maud. My dear girl, I intend to have considerable more to do with him before I'm through. He's under vow for me now, anyway, and I don't mean he should forget it, either. He's my monkey, and he's got to jump around pretty lively, at the end of a tolerable short chain, too. And I guess, if it comes to renouncing, all the magnanimity's going to be on my side this time!
IN AN AVENUE.
Culch. (to himself, as he walks hurriedly on). I only just saved myself in time. I don't think Maud noticed anything—she couldn't have been so innocent and indifferent if she had.... And Hypatia won't enlighten her any further now—after what she knows. It's rather a relief that she does know.... She took it very well, poor girl—very well. I expect she is really beginning to put up with Podbury—I'm sure I hope so, sincerely!
CHAPTER XVII.
Culchard cannot be "Happy with Either."
Scene—Under the Colonnade of the Hôtel Grande Bretagne, Bellagio. Culchard is sitting by one of the pillars, engaged in constructing a sonnet. On a neighbouring seat a group of smart people are talking over their acquaintances, and near them is another visitor, a Mr. Crawley Strutt, who is watching his opportunity to strike into the conversation.
Mrs. Hurlingham. Well, she'll be Lady Chesepare some day, when anything happens to the old Earl. He was looking quite ghastly when we were down at Skympings last. But they're frightfully badly off now, poor dears! Lady Driblett lets them have her house in Park Lane for parties and that—but it's wonderful how they live at all!
Colonel Sandown. He looked pretty fit at the Rag the other day. Come across the Senlacs anywhere? Thought Lady Senlac was going abroad this year.
Mr. Crawley Strutt. Hem—I saw it mentioned in the Penny Patrician that her Ladyship had——