“Tell me about your papa,” said he, musically. “I am immensely interested in him. One feels one ought to have so many things in common with such a papa as yours.”
“Papa is just as sweet——” began Miss Perry, with a perfectly delightful fervency. But she got no farther.
Aunt Caroline uplifted an immutable finger.
“Araminta,” said she, “it is time you went up to dress. Burden, take her to her room.”
Miss Perry rose at once with a docility that was charming. She bestowed her most frankly indulgent beam upon Lord Cheriton, and quitted the drawing-room in Miss Burden’s custody.
Cheriton screwed his glass into his astonished eye to gaze after such magnificence.
“A goddess!” said he. “Juno! A great work of nature.”
He prepared to take his leave.
“I am afraid, Caroline,” said he, “your memory begins to fail a little.”
“Rubbish.”