Captain Ware blinked. “Phew! What can I do to atone?”
“Find Mudgley for me!” said the Duke tartly.
“Yes, your Grace!” said Captain Ware, in servile accents.
This made the Duke laugh. He slid a hand in his cousin’s arm, pressing it slightly, and saying: “I have learnt some few things in this week that I never knew before, you see, Gideon. Did you ever think how it would be to be without a single relative in the world?”
“I did not, I own. I thought you had done so, however, and envied those in that happy state.”
“I have discovered my mistake,” replied the Duke.
Gideon could not help smiling at this. He said: “I hope you will still think so when my father arrives in Bath!”
This event took place that evening, just as Nettlebed had brought sherry and Madeira into the private parlour, drawn the blinds, and made up the fire. The door was suddenly opened, andLord Lionel stalked into the room, before the trembling waiter had had time to announce him.
His lordship, having passed through every stage of anxiety, was suffering from the inevitable reaction, and looked to be in anything but a conciliatory mood. His eagle glance swept past his son and became fixed upon the Duke. “Ha!” he ejaculated explosively. “So you have seen fit to inform us of your whereabouts, Sale! Extremely obliging of you! And now perhaps you will have the goodness to explain the meaning of this caper?”
The Duke, rising quickly from his seat by the fire, fancied that he could detect fresh lines on his uncle’s face. He went forward, holding out his hands, and saying: “Dear sir, I am so very glad to see you! Forgive me!”