‘Don’t be in such a hurry, young woman,’ said Blitherington slowly, ‘always reconnoitre your country before advancing your main body; is Ophelia with our Lady Aunt?’
‘Very much so,’ said Freddy.
‘Good-bye then, I’m going back to town,’ said his lordship as he proceeded to climb back into the carriage: but on our pointing out that he had no money, he was persuaded to accompany us to the hotel.
‘Only I warn you,’ he said with a weary smile, ‘if Ophelia commences telling me about Jacob I shall either take to drink or emigrate.’
We could not return to the Granville to lunch, as Freddy and I had promised to lunch with Cobson, and Reggie, who had been persuaded to speak at the Union that evening, had his speech to prepare; however we arranged to meet the girls and Blitherington in the gateway of Thomas’ at four o’clock for the races. As we were walking down St. Aldate’s in the afternoon, Freddy, who professes a great indifference to the charms of his fair cousins, announced his intention of walking with Blitherington, so that Reggie and I were allotted to Maisie and Muriel.
We had only been waiting about ten minutes when the trio hove in sight, Blitherington in a splendid flannel suit—he certainly does know how to dress—and the girls in exceedingly light fluffy chiffons, which always win my heart.
Freddy was inclined to be sarcastic at their little lapse in punctuality, but Maisie at once said to him, ‘Now run along you quaint old thing and try to make Blithers behave himself; can’t you see Mr. Cochrane and I want to be alone?’
I had intended taking Muriel, who though very pretty is said to be quieter than her sister, and giving Reggie the pleasure of Maisie’s decidedly effervescent conversation, but after this how could I resist taking her under my wing.
‘We had a lot of difficulty in shunting Ophelia,’ she said complacently as we started off for the river, ‘the dear old thing is so keen on seeing the boating-races, as she calls them.’
‘Yes,’ chimed in Muriel who wasn’t far behind, ‘we had to send a note round to Charlie Hanbury at Barabbas’, who had already got half a dozen maiden aunts encamped around him, and he promised to take her with them onto the Barabbas’ barge at tea-time.’