“For shame, Phineas! Nothing of the kind.”
“Why, there’s a card-table in the drawing-room, where you play rubbers of whist.”
“Well, that’s not a gambling-table. This is a—”
“Billiard-table, Rachel. Don’t talk such nonsense. I’d rather see him play billiards all day than sit drinking with Saul Harrington.”
“Oh, don’t tell me. I know better. And now mind this, we must get Gertrude away, and I shall not be happy till we do.”
“Well, I’ll think about it; but it’s a serious thing, my dear. If we get her away the marriage will not come off, and it was the old man’s wish.”
“Because he did not know what his beautiful grandson was like. There, it’s growing late, and I’ve got to change my frock.”
Mrs Hampton, who looked very nettled and upset, was half way to the door when the gate-bell rang.
“Here’s Lawrence,” said the old lawyer, going to the window, an announcement which sent Mrs Hampton off with a loud whishing sound of silk over the carpet and against the door-post, as she hurried out. “Ah, Hampton! how are you?”
“Don’t want any pills or any other medicine,” said the dry old lawyer grimly, as the doctor entered the room.