"I have enough to live upon," the young man said. "I don't think that on that score Sir William can raise any objection."
"Let us hope he won't on any other," she replied. "We must tell him what he is to think."
"And my chances of getting on, though it sounds absurd to say so, are rather good," he went on. "Lord Stamfordham will, I know, help me whenever he can; and I mean to go into the House, and then—oh, then it will be all right, really."
At this moment the door opened and Sir William came in.
"You are the very person we wanted," his wife said.
"You want to apologise to me for the conduct of your party, I suppose," said Gore to Rendel, half in jest, half in earnest, as he shook hands.
"I'm very sorry, Sir William," said Rendel, "if we've displeased you. Pray don't hold me responsible."
"Oh yes," said Lady Gore lightly, to give Rendel time, "one always holds one's political adversary responsible for anything that happens to displease one in the conduct of the universe."
"I hope," said Rendel, trying to hide his real anxiety, "that Sir William will try to forgive me for the action of my party, and everything else. Pray feel kindly towards me to-day."
Sir William looked at him inquiringly, affecting perhaps a more unsuspecting innocence than he was feeling. Rendel went on, speaking quickly and feeling suddenly unaccountably nervous.