“We shall see what we shall see, dear lady.”
Mother wished my lord would not be so cryptic. All the same, she rather liked the air of confidence.
“An old professional family, even of that kind, must have gathered its traditions, Agatha,” said S. of P.
“Fact is, Shelmerdine,” said the Friend of the Family, “the young fellow has done a dashed sight better than anybody thinks he has—and a dashed sight better than he deserves, if you want my candid opinion.”
Neither Father nor Mother appeared to want this candid opinion particularly, and yet they didn’t appear very sorry to have it. And they went home feeling a little brighter for this interview; and, perhaps shaken a little in the Victorian Attitude. It was inconceivable that She would ever be able to do them credit; but might it not be that they had alarmed themselves a little unduly?
Still, it is easier, as a rule, to support the ills of others than to bear one’s own. It was very well for Warlock to take this optimistic view; but Philip was not his son, and She was not his daughter-in-law. Nevertheless, they were glad, on the whole, that the wind had been tempered for them in this quarter. They didn’t feel very forgiving just at present, though.
A little light was thrown upon the unlooked-for magnanimity of the Friend of the Family about a week later. For this the Morning Post was responsible, and the illumination was the following:—
“A marriage has been arranged and will shortly take place between the Marquis of Craigenputtock, eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Dumbarton, and the Lady Adela Rocklaw, youngest daughter of the Earl of Warlock, K. C. M. G.”
Everything for the best in the best of all possible worlds, you see. Father and Mother rejoiced, of course, at this cheering announcement; yet they did not seem exactly to overflow with joy when they called to convey their felicitations to dear Adela and her papa. But more than ever now were they inclined to doubt the bona fides of the latter in respect of the brave face he had put on their common misfortune.
Still, most warmly and affectionately did they congratulate Dumbarton’s future duchess, whom they had the signal good fortune to find in black velvet with the Himalayan Dust Spaniel reclining at her feet.