“Yes, I know. Thought of something, too. That’s why I came tonight.”
“Freddy, you have not? Oh, tell me this instant!” she cried, clasping ecstatic hands.
“Yes, but don’t kick up such a dust!” said her censorious brother. “You’ll have everyone gaping at us. Come and sit down! And, mind, now, Meg! you needn’t set up a screech just because I’ve got something to say that’ll surprise you!”
Thus admonished, Lady Buckhaven meekly accompanied him to two vacant chairs, placed between a pair of palms against the wall. Their progress was somewhat impeded by the determination of various acquaintances to greet them, but they arrived at their goal at last, and Lady Buckhaven said, disposing the diaphanous folds of her blue gauze overdress becomingly: “I can’t conceive why you should be so mysterious! If it is all a take-in, I will never forgive you! Oh, Freddy, I must tell you the latest crim. con. story! You will be in whoops! Only fancy!—it is all over town that Lady Louisa Aldstone and young Garsdale—”
“Lord, I knew that before I went to Melton!” interrupted Freddy scornfully. “And you needn’t tell me Johnny Eppleby fathered the last Thresham brat, because I know that too!”
“No!” exclaimed his sister.
Perceiving that he had over-estimated her new-found knowledge of the world, Freddy said hastily: “All a hum, I daresay! I wish you will stop chattering, and pay attention!”
She turned her blue orbs upon him expectantly, and, with all the air of one wearied with repeating an incredible tale, he disclosed his engagement to her. She was quite as astonished as Lady Legerwood had been, and much more exclamatory; but no sooner had he propounded to her his scheme for her own salvation and Kitty’s entertainment, than she forgot every other consideration in wholehearted approval of a plan which bade fair to afford her with a reasonable excuse for eschewing the rural amenities of Gloucestershire. She retained the haziest memory of Miss Charing, having only once visited Arnside, and that some years previously, but she was sure she would like her excessively; and the intelligence that she would be expected without loss of time to superintend the purchase of a wardrobe she greeted with rapture. “And I am to introduce her into society? Oh, you may depend upon me, my dear brother!”
“Well, I do,” acknowledged Freddy, “but I must say I don’t feel easy! Never knew anyone with such a shocking eye for colour as you, Meg! That underdress, or petticoat, or whatever you call it, that you have on! No, really, m’dear girl! It won’t do!”
“Freddy!” cried Lady Buckhaven, stunned. “How can you say such a thing? This particular shade of pink is all the crack!”