Of the City man's coronet he thought little—the Cheynes of Essilmont required no coronets to enhance their old heraldic glories; but the City man's bank-book and acquired acres were a very different matter for consideration now!
CHAPTER IX.
A REPRIEVE FOR A TIME.
'We dine with Cadbury at the Court to-morrow—no party, just ourselves—sharp six—an early dinner,' said Sir Ranald to Alison, just as she returned from a meeting with Bevil Goring at the beeches.
'Very well, papa,' replied the girl, though she felt herself shiver with anticipation of the annoyance to which she might be subjected; 'has he returned so soon?'
'He—who?'
'Lord Cadbury.'
'Yes; Parliament has been suddenly prorogued.'
In her heart she was sorry to hear it. 'The carriage will come for us punctually,' he added, regarding her earnestly, as he thought regretfully—when did he ever cease to do so?—of his own family carriage, with its hammercloth and heraldic insignia, and his dismay when Lady Cheyne—Alison's ailing mother—was first compelled to walk afoot or take a common cab.
And old Archie Auchindoir groaned at the recollection thereof too, when he came to announce, with a snort, that 'the Cawdburry machine was at the porch.'