"My doing, Erradeen!"
Underwood knew very well what it was before he looked at it. It was from Lady Herbert, explaining that she had only just heard that Lord Erradeen was so near a neighbour, and begging him, if he was not, like all the other gentlemen, on the hills, that he would come ("and your friend Captain Underwood") to luncheon that day to cheer two forlorn ladies left all by themselves in this wilderness. "And you will meet an old friend," it concluded playfully. The composition was Julia's, and had not been produced without careful study.
"My doing!" said Captain Underwood. "Can you suppose that I want you to marry, Erradeen?"
It was a case, he thought, in which truth was best.
Walter started up from his seat.
"Marry!" he cried, with a half-shout of rage and dismay.
"Well, my dear fellow, I don't suppose you are such a fool; but, of course, that is what she means. The fair Julia——"
"Oblige me," cried Lord Erradeen, taking up once more his position on the hearth, "by speaking civilly when you speak of ladies in my house."
"Why, bless me, Erradeen, you gave me the note——"
"I was a fool—that is nothing new. I have been a fool since the first day when I met you and took you for something more than mortal. Oh, and before that!" cried Walter bitterly. "Do not flatter yourself that you did it. It is of older date than you."