“Charlie!” uttered Miss Charing contemptuously. ill daresay he has book-learning, but you have—you have address, Freddy!”
“Well, by Jove!” said Mr. Standen, dazzled by this new vision of himself.
Chapter XIV
Meanwhile, that noted Corinthian, Mr. Jack Westruther, was rapidly passing from a state of amused tolerance to one of slightly puzzled exasperation. That Kitty should cajole Mr. Standen into a counterfeit betrothal with the object of arousing jealousy in the breast of the man she really loved was something Mr. Westruther could understand, and even appreciate. That she should decline his invitations for no better alternative than a few hours spent in Dolphinton’s company was something he was very far from appreciating. She could not, he was persuaded, hope to awaken one spark of jealousy in him by such absurd tactics. He did not think so poorly of her as to suppose that she might seriously be encouraging his lordship’s advances, for he held Dolphinton in utter contempt; but a chance meeting with his cousin Biddenden, in Boodle’s Club, certainly sowed a seed of doubt in his mind.
“So Kitty Charing has a fancy to become a Countess!” said Biddenden, with a short laugh. “Well! I am not at all astonished! I’m sure I hope you are satisfied, Jack! A rare bungle you have made of it, you and Hugh between you!”
“Don’t you mean a Viscountess, George?” suggested Mr. Westruther amiably.
“No, I don’t. She’ll be Countess of Dolphinton before the year’s out, mark me! Much good may it do her!”
“Would you care to hazard a bet on the chance?”
“You’d lose!” said his lordship brutally. “You thought the girl was head over ears in love with you, didn’t you? Well, I thought it too, and nicely bubbled we have been! It’s my belief she’s a deep ‘un, and had her eye on Dolphinton from the outset.”
“I do hope, my dear George, that you mean to explain to me why, if this is so, she did not take him when she had the chance offered to her? I seem to be remarkably dull-witted today, for the reason is hid from me,” said Mr. Westruther, with unabated amiability.