"Oh, but I know a deal of boxing cant! My brother George is much addicted to the Fancy , he himself displays to advantage, so I'm told! No shifting, not at all shy; in fact rattles in full of gaiety!"
"Bab, you incorrigible hussy!"
Their disagreement was forgotten; she began to talk to him of George, who was already on his passage to the Netherlands.
It was evident that George, a year older than his sister, was very near her heart. Colonel Audley was barely acquainted with him, but no one who had once met Lord George could fail to recognise him again. When he arrived in Brussels some days later it was from Liedekerke, in the vicinity of Ninove, where he was quartered. He rode into Brussels with the intention of surprising his family at dinner, but happening to encounter a friend on his way up the Montagne de la Cour, went off instead to join a riotous party at the Hotel d'Angleterre. When he presented himself in the Rue Ducale some hours later it was to learn from the butler that Lord and Lady Vidal were at the Opera, and his sister at a soiree.
"Well, I won't go to the Opera, that's certain," said his lordship. "What's this soiree you talk of?"
"I understand, my lord, a gathering of polite persons, with a little music, a -"
"Sounds devilish," remarked his lordship. "Who's holding it?"
"Lord and Lady Worth, my lord."
"Lady Worth, eh?" His lordship pricked up his ears.
"Oh! Ah! I'll go there. Won't throw me out, will they?"