“Mustn’t touch—naughty boy!” she cried. “How could you?”
“Oh, all right,” said Elbraham, grinning hugely at the idea of not being allowed to touch his own property; and then he suffered himself to be led through the various rooms, one and all replete with the most refined luxuries of life.
“Now, you do think it is nice, my dear Elbraham?” said her ladyship.
“Nice? It’s clipping! Might have had a little more voluptuousness; but Litton says no, so I don’t complain. I say: Clotilde—you know, eh?”
“Yes, dear Elbraham. What of her?”
“She ought to be satisfied, eh?”
“She is charmed; she really loves the place. Come, I’ll tell you a secret. The darling—ah, but you’ll betray me?”
“No—honour bright!” cried Elbraham, laying his hand upon the side of his waistcoat.
“Well, I’ll tell you, then; but, mind, it is sacred.”
“Of course—of course.”