There was no help for it, so Katherine took De Burgh's offered arm and went downstairs.
"I wonder what the secret mission could have been?" said Katherine, when they found themselves in the tea-room.
"God knows! I wonder Errington did not go in for diplomacy when he smashed up. He is just the man for protocols, and solemn mysteries, and all that."
"Men cannot jump into diplomatic appointments, can they?"
"No, I suppose not. I hear some of Errington's political articles have attracted Lord G——'s notice; they say he'll be in Parliament one of these days. Well, he deserves to win, if that sort of thing be worth winning."
"Of course it is. Have you no ambition, Lord de Burgh? Were I a man, I should be very ambitious."
"I have no doubt you would; and if you had a husband you'd drive him up the ladder at the bayonet's point."
"Poor man! I pity him beforehand."
"I don't," returned De Burgh, shortly. "Do you know, I have just been dining with Ormonde and his wife, not as their guest, but at Lady Mary Vincent's. Tell me, hasn't he behaved rather badly to you? I want to know, because I don't want to cut him without reason."
"Pray do not cut him on my account, Lord de Burgh. Colonel Ormonde has very naturally, for a man of his calibre, felt disgusted at my inability to carry out my original arrangements respecting my nephews, and he showed his displeasure, after his kind, with remarkable frankness; but I am not the least angry, and I beg you will make no difference for my sake."