Mr. Beaumaris glanced down at him from his superior height, seemed to debate within himself whether this, sally was worth the trouble of a reply, to decide that it was not, and turned back to Arabella. “You must tell me how you like London,” he said. “It is abundantly plain that London likes you! May I procure you a glass of lemonade?”
This offer brought Arabella’s chin up, and made her look at him with a distinct challenge in her eyes. She had had plenty of time to discover that it was not the common practice of hosts to sweep the wine from their tables at the end of the first course, and she strongly suspected Mr. Beaumaris of quizzing her. He was looking perfectly grave, however, and met her eyes without a shadow of mockery in his own. Before she could answer him, Lord Fleetwood committed a strategical error, and exclaimed: “Of course! I’ll swear you are parched with thirst, ma’am! I will get you a glass immediately!”
“Splendid, Charles!” said Mr. Beaumaris cordially. “Do let me take you a little out of this crush, Miss Tallant!”
He seemed to take her acquiescence for granted, for he did not await, a reply, but led her to where a sofa standing against one wall was momentarily unoccupied. How he contrived to find a way through the crowd of chattering guests was a mystery to Arabella, for he certainly did not force a passage. A touch on a man’s shoulder, a bow and a smile to a lady, and the thing was done. He sat down beside her on the sofa, seated a little sideways, so that he could watch her face, one hand on the back of the sofa, the other playing idly with his quizzing-glass. “Does it come up to your expectations, ma’am?” he asked smilingly.
“London? Yes, indeed!” she responded. “I am sure I was never so happy in my life!”
“I am glad,” he said.
Arabella remembered that Lady Bridlington had warned her against betraying too much enthusiasm: it was unfashionable to appear pleased. She remembered, also that she had promised not to make a bad impression on Mr. Beaumaris, so she added in a languid tone: “It is a shocking squeeze, of course, but it is always diverting to meet new people.”
He looked amused, and said with a laugh in his voice: “No, don’t spoil it! Your first answer was charming.”
She eyed him doubtfully for a moment; then her irrepressible dimples peeped out “But it is only rustics who own to enjoyment, sir!”
“Is it?” he returned.