"None whatever, my dear Lady Ennismore," was his lordship's reply; "but if my mother cannot postpone her engagements, we had perhaps better defer our visit."
"I have every hope," said Sir John, bowing politely to the Countess, "I have every hope that Lady Ennismore will yet favour us with her company. Perhaps, upon a little consideration, one or two engagements may give way, to do us honour."
"I will consult with my son," replied the Countess, with her most bewitching smile. "A visit to Wetheral must be a pleasure too agreeable to relinquish, if we can postpone less agreeable engagements. I shall not fail to draw upon my invention for excuses in one quarter. My dear Julia, I hope we shall accomplish a visit to Wetheral. I hope my lord's health will continue: but I do not like his pallid complexion this morning."
"Do I look unwell?" asked his lordship, in an anxious tone, "do I appear changed to-day, my dear mother?"
"I don't approve of that pale cheek, my dear son. Julia, do you notice a little hectic spot—a very small spot, just upon the cheek-bone?"
Julia looked at her lord's leaden face. "No, I do not discover a spot, I cannot perceive a hectic spot—do you, papa?"
"My dearest Julia, is it possible you cannot distinguish a little feverish appearance? I see it from this distance, with great uneasiness."
"Now, papa, you shall judge between us. Do you see any appearance of spot or fever upon my lord's cheek?"
Sir John put on his glasses with an air of grave solemnity. "Am I constituted judge in this matter?"