“Lord, no! Cork-brained thing to do! Pack him off to France again: that’s the dandy!”
“An excellent scheme—if you can bring it about.”
“Daresay I shall think of a way,” said Freddy. He observed a curious expression on his father’s countenance, and said with slight concern: “Anything amiss, sir?”
“No—oh, no!” replied Lord Legerwood, recovering himself. “I almost believe that you will think of a way, for I perceive that you have depths hitherto unsuspected by me, my dear boy. Tell me, if you please, if I am correct in assuming that my part in this is to discover for you, if I can, who and what is your Chevalier?”
“That’s it,” said Freddy, gratified by such ready understanding. “Very much obliged to you if you would, sir.”
“I will do my poor best,” bowed his lordship. “Meanwhile, permit me to congratulate you upon the change you have wrought in Kitty’s appearance! I collect that yours has been the guiding hand: alas, I knew when I saw her the other evening that my poor Meg could have had little to say in the choice of her apparel!”
Freddy looked pleased. “Elegant little thing, ain’t she?” His brow clouded. “Shouldn’t have worn those topazes, though. Wouldn’t let me give her a set of garnets. Pity!”
Lord Legerwood, although noting this peculiar reluctance on Miss Charing’s part to receive gifts from her betrothed, refrained from comment. He merely said, polishing his eyeglass: “Oblige me, Freddy, by telling me if Jack Westruther is often to be found in Berkeley Square?”
Freddy’s brow darkened. “Too dashed often, for my raste. No need for you to trouble yourself, though. Keeping my eye on Meg!”
Lord Legerwood, sustaining yet another shock, said faintly: “You are?”