“Oh, that d-doesn’t signify!” She looked up at him rather anxiously. “Have you come to scold me for p-playing loo last night? I w-won, you know.”
“My dear Horry, what a very unpleasant husband I must be!” said the Earl. “Do I only seek you out to scold you?”
“N-no, of course not, but I thought it m-might be that. Is it n-nothing disagreeable?”
“I should hardly call it disagreeable,” Rule said. “Something a little tiresome.”
“Oh, d-dear!” sighed Horatia. She shot a mischievous look at him. “You are g-going to be an unpleasant husband, sir. I know you are.”
“No,” said Rule, “but I am afraid I am going to annoy you, Horry. My lamentable cousin has been coupling your name with Lethbridge’s.”
“C-coupling my name!” echoed Horatia. “W-well, I do think Crosby is the m-most odious little toad alive! What did he say?”
“Something very rude,” replied the Earl. “I won’t distress you by repeating it.”
“I suppose he thinks I’m in l-love with Robert,” said Horatia bluntly. “But I’m n-not, and I don’t c-care what he says!”
“Certainly.not: no one cares what Crosby says. Unfortunately, however, he said it in Pelham’s hearing, and Pelham most unwisely called him out.”