"He's a very able man," he said at last, "but there's no man I should find it so hard to get on with. He says just what he thinks in the most awful way. And because Lady Penelope said he was not to spend more than twenty-five pounds a week, he is living on ten shillings out of bravado. I hate bravado. He made me dine with him in Soho, and our dinners came to elevenpence each. Where is Lady Penelope?"
"I don't know," said Bradstock.
"I didn't see Plant yesterday," said Bramber, uneasily.
"The devil!"
"You don't think?"
"I don't know what to think," said Bradstock, wickedly. "I hear that Jimmy Carew hasn't been seen for days, either."
Bramber fidgeted on his chair.
"She can't marry Carew. He's a thorough outsider."
"Women don't understand the word, my dear chap. How are you getting on in the House? And have you been motoring with Plant?"
"Yes," said Bramber; "we killed three fowls and a dog yesterday. And Plant was fined ten pounds a week ago. He said he would wire to Lady Penelope to know if that was business expenses. I believe he wants to break my neck."