"If you need it. It's very lucky: I leave Brussels on the 16th, and Lavisse will surely arrive on the 15th for the dinner in honour of the Prince of Orange. I daresay he'll remain a day or two, and so be at your disposal."
"Not jealous, Charles?"
"How should I be? You wear my ring, not his."
His guess was correct. The Comte de Lavisse appeared in Brussels four days later to attend the Belgian dinner at the Hotel d'Angleterre. He lost no time in calling in the Rue Ducale, and on learning that Lady Barbara was out, betook himself to the Park, and very soon came upon her ladyship, in company with Colonel Audley, Lady Worth and her offspring, Sir Peregrine Taverner, and Miss Devenish.
The party seemed to be a merry one, Judith being in spirits and Barbara in a melting mood. It was she who held Lord Temperley's leading strings, and directed his attention to a bed of flowers. "Pretty lady!" Lord Temperley called her, with weighty approval.
"Famous!" she said. She glanced up at Judith, and said with a touch of archness: "I count your son one of my admirers, you see!"
"You are so kind to him I am sure it is no wonder," Judith responded, liking her in this humour.
"Thank you! Charles, set him on your shoulder, and let us take him to see the swans on the water. Lady worth, you permit?"
"Yes indeed, but I don't wish you to be teased by him!"
"No such thing!" She swooped upon the child, and lifted him up in her arms. "There! I declare I could carry you myself!"