Judith gave a gasp, and turned pale. “Ma’am! Oh, good God, ma’am, that surely was not Mr. Brummell?”
“Not Mr. Brummell? Of course it was! But, my dearest love, I particularly warned you! What have you been about?”
“I thought you meant that odious creature in the green coat,” said Judith numbly. “How could I imagine—” She broke off, and looked across the room at Mr. Brummell.
Their eyes met; he smiled; unmistakably he smiled.
“I declare I could positively embrace him!” said Mrs. Scattergood, avidly drinking in this exchange of glances. “You are made, my dear! What a set-down for John Mills! Brummell must have heard of what he said of you, daring to try to set people against you! Such impertinence!”
“He did,” said Miss Taverner dryly. “I told him.”
Chapter VI
Two days later Mr. Brummell came to call in Brook Street, and stayed for three-quarters of an hour. Miss Taverner offered him a frank apology for her unwitting rudeness, but he shook his head at her. “A great many people have heard me say rude things, ma’am, but no one has ever heard me commit the folly of apologizing for them,” he told her. “The only apology you should make me is for having mistaken Mr. Frensham for me. A blow, ma’am, I confess. I thought it had not been possible.”
“You see, sir, you came in behind him—and he was so very fine,” she excused herself.
“His tailor makes him,” said Mr. Brummell. “Now I, I make my tailor.”