No sooner had De Vere departed than young Bramber was announced.
"Conceited young ass," said Bradstock. But Bramber was in the House, and was supposed to be doing very well. He had brains, no doubt, and the manner of Oxford (Balliol variety, as aforesaid) sat on him well. He made speeches, and Mr. Mytton congratulated him on one of them. Nothing but his passion for Penelope prevented him being as conceited as Bradstock supposed him to be. But it must be remembered that Bradstock couldn't make speeches.
"I thought I'd come and look you up," said Bramber. "I thought you could tell me something about Lady Penelope."
"I can't," replied Bradstock. "I spend all my afternoons in saying so. I've had Rivaulx and Austin de Vere and Gordon here already, and after you go I don't doubt that Goby or Plant will turn up. How do you get on with Plant? Do you know, Bramber, I believe Plant is the best man of the lot of you."
Bramber frowned.
"He has an accent that can be cut into slabs, to use his own dialect," said Bramber.
"Your own accent is equally disagreeable to an American," said Bradstock, who had been in the United States several times.
"I have no accent," said Bramber, haughtily.
"Oh," returned Bradstock. "And how do you get along with Plant?"
Bramber was obviously more jealous of Plant than any one. But he made a tremendous effort to be fair.