'After the cutting tenor of the letter he sent me—that cold and formal letter of dismissal—I—I——'
'Forget it, like the good fellow you are; and remember only that he is the father of Clare Collingwood.'
'True.'
'You'll go, of course?' said Jerry, after a pause; but Chute was silent.
His pride suggested that under all the circumstances, especially if what 'the clubs said' were true, he should decline the invitation.
But why?
He had already been at the Collingwoods', but on a special mission, certainly.
Then Sir Carnaby was proud, and it was impossible to forget that the first formal advance had come from him. More than all, as Jerry Vane had said, he was the father of Clare, of her who had never ceased to be the idol of all his thoughts.
'By Jove, I'll go—and you, Jerry,' he exclaimed. 'Of course.'
Each dashed off an acceptance, and they were despatched to Pall Mall in the care of Trevor's valet.