“But his wife, and the children?”
“One of the children will happily never need a marriage portion,” returned Mr. Stewart, “and the other is a boy. As for Mrs. Dudley, we have talked that over before; and, speaking of her, Douglas, may I inquire the reason of the special interest you seem to feel about her? A charming lady, doubtless, but still, a recent acquaintance. You are not in love with her, I hope?”
“No,” Douglas Croft answered, “I do not love her.”
“What is the link, then? for a link of some kind there must be.”
“Perhaps that my wife dislikes her,” suggested Mr. Croft; then he added, in a different tone: “I have been a stupid ass and an awful sinner—that is the reason I like Mrs. Dudley.”
“Complimentary to Mrs. Dudley.”
“True, nevertheless,” answered Mr. Croft; and at this moment they arrived at Mr. Black’s offices in Dowgate Hill, where they found that gentleman thoroughly enjoying himself.
“So you are really going to leave his Lordship in my hands for execution?” he said, when Mr. Stewart had explained the purpose of their visit. “I am delighted to hear it, for I was just sketching out a letter in answer to his. May I read it to you?”
“No,” answered Mr. Stewart, “I do not wish to be mixed up with it in any way. The matter rests between you and Lord Kemms, and we must decline all interference. Fight it out yourselves. Whether the letter ought to be answered at all, until after the next board-day, is a question for you to decide.”
“I will take that responsibility on my own shoulders,” remarked Mr. Black. “Of course, all this is Mr. Raidsford’s doing, not Lord Kemms’. I only wish it was Raidsford I had to answer, I would give him a dose that ought to cure him of meddling for a while again.”