CHAPTER V.
“Ronnie,” said Mouse to her elder brother one morning, “I don’t think I’ve ever told you about those new people to whom Gerald sold Vale Royal——”
“To whom you sold Vale Royal,” said Lord Hurstmanceaux with curt significance.
She colored; she did not like her brother’s rough and blunt ways of putting things, though it was a Courcy habit into which she herself lapsed in cynical and imprudent moments.
She let the subject pass, however, and continued as if she had not heard the correction.
“They are such fun; you can’t imagine how delightful they are; and they have made Harrenden House a paradise. When I came from Cairo they were already in it. Old Prince Khris had done it all.”
“There are a good many such dollar-lined paradises in London,” said Hurstmanceaux. “I’d rather you didn’t go into them. But, of course, you do as you like.”
“Of course I do! Old Khris arranged the house for them.”
Hurstmanceaux laughed.
“Khris and you! They will be warm people indeed if they have even a paire pour le soif left for themselves between you two. Poor devils! I think I’ll go and give them the lay of the course.”