“If I had known — though to be sure I do not know how I could have done so! — that you had a desire to go to the Assembly, I would have taken you myself,” said his lordship stiffly. “I do not know why you should tell me that you had the headache, and then, when you had fobbed me off, have gone to it with Wrotham!”
“Fobbed you off?” exclaimed Hero, quite dismayed. “Oh, Sherry, no! I thought you did not wish to go! Oh, don’t say you did wish to go! I would so much, much rather have had you with me than George!”
“I am flattered!” said his lordship. “I had thought you dealt delightfully with George!”
“Yes, indeed I did, but I had rather be with you than with anyone. Sherry, why did you not join us? It would have been beyond anything!”
“Well, as a matter of fact, I did think I might do so,” said Sherry, thawing. “Only it was after eleven when I reached the curst place, and nothing would prevail upon Willis to let me enter.”
“Oh, Sherry!” Hero cried, flushing in distress. “Had I known that, all my pleasure would have been destroyed! Oh, how vexatious! how sorry I am! It is all my fault for having been so stupid as to fancy you did not wish to go!”
“I must own that considering I was perfectly ready to escort you,” began his lordship in an injured tone, “I do not know why — ” He stopped, meeting her anxious, uncritical gaze. “No, it wasn’t your fault, and you know it wasn’t!” he said. “I didn’t wish to go, but you are not to be giving up your amusements for any such cause as that. Dash it, Gil was right!”
“Gil? Why, what has he to do with it, pray?”
“Oh, nothing! Only he would have it I was a fool, and curst selfish, and I dare say I may be, but I tell you, this, Kitten — ”
“How dared Gil say such a thing?” interrupted Hero hotly. “It is the wickedest untruth! You are no such thing! I should think he must have been quite foxed to have said it!”