“Are you to be at Lady Arrowsmith’s concert to-morrow, my lord?” said Mrs. Crabstock, who was now at liberty to ask questions; for even scandal will not hold curiosity in check for ever.
“Are you to be at Lady Arrowsmith’s, my lord, to-morrow night?” repeated she, for her first attack was unheard.
“I do not know, indeed,” said he, starting from his fit of absence.
Mrs. Crabstock persisted. “Were you at the opera last night, my lord?”
“I really, ma’am, do not recollect.”
“Bless me!” cried Mrs. Crabstock.
And “Bless me!” cried Lady Jane Granville. “We are to be at the Duchess of Greenwich’s ball: Caroline, my dear—time for us to move. My lord, might I trouble your lordship to ask if our carriage is to be had?”
Lord William, before she had completed the request, obeyed. As they went down the staircase, Lady Jane laughing said, “I am afraid I shall be as impertinently curious as Mrs. Crabstock—I was going to ask your lordship whether you are engaged to-morrow, or whether you can come to us—to me?”
“Unhappily,” the accent on the word showed it was no expression of course. “Unhappily I cannot—I am engaged—I thank your ladyship.”
Lady Jane looked back at Caroline, who was a little behind her.