“Certainly I am. If you do not, I shall be obliged to lay an information. Should it be to a magistrate?”
He laughed. “I hope we may not have to go to quite such a length as that! Will you leave it in my hands, and trust me to do what I can?”
“Yes, willingly,” she replied, rising, and picking up the train of her dress. “Theo said that he should speak to Martin, but I should not be surprised if you were found to have more influence than he has ever had. At all events, your word must carry weight with Lord Ulverston.”
She then left him, and he returned to his task of filling his snuff-box. It was very soon accomplished, and he had just restored the jar to a cupboard when Ulverston strolled in.
The Viscount instantly picked up the gold snuff-box from the table, and inspected it. “That’s pretty!” he remarked. “Where did you find it, Ger?”
“Rue St. Honoré — Louis XV. Not really suitable for day-wear, of course.”
“Oh, at old Ducroix’s? I bought one from him — genuine Barrière, with lapis panels.”
“I know you did. He showed it to me, but I thought the marble-enamel displeasing. How did you find them all at Whissenhurst?”
“Oh, in high gig! Lady Bolderwood is full of schemes for their party next week. The devil of it is that I find I can’t stay to attend it.”
“No, so I apprehend,” replied the Earl. “You have received a letter which summons you to town, haven’t you?”