“Of course it is!”
“I am so thankful. Death is extremely painful to me, and although I am determined not to omit the least—Ah, not, I do trust, in this house?”
“No. It lies in a chapel.”
“Again you relieve my mind. I brought my vinaigrette with me, of course, and Crawley knows how to revive me, but I confess I should have been excessively loath to have slept under the same roof with a coffin. My sensibilities have always been extremely acute and I dare say I should have suffered a spasm.
But now, unless I should have taken a chill on the drive, I do trust we have nothing to dread. It is not to be, I collect, a lengthy cortege?”
“Carlyon has arranged for it to be as private as may be,” replied Nicky.
“One cannot but sympathize with him,” murmured Francis. He watched Nicky color up, and added apologetically, “I have never known myself to be so maladroit! Really, I intended not the smallest offense, dear Nicholas! Poor Eustace, alas, was not beloved in this neighborhood! But I do hope sufficient carriages have been bespoken, for he had some friends, you know. I feel persuaded that they must honor his obsequies with their presence. Indeed, I have myself advised Louis de Castres of this sad event, and I do not doubt of seeing him here tomorrow.”
Nicky fairly gasped at this effrontery and could only gaze at him openmouthed.
“You must be acquainted with Louis?” said Francis; mildly surprised. “A charming creature! One of my oldest friends!”
“Yes,” said Nicky. “Yes, I fancy I have met him!”