“I will see what Richard thinks; but you must not take anything for granted, Edna, until I have spoken to him.”
“Oh, I will tease him into taking us,” returned Edna gayly. “I do love polo, and I am sure Bessie will be delighted. Now we must start another game, Captain Grant.” And before her mother could interpose Edna had crossed the lawn with him.
“Shall you be very disappointed if you do not see polo, Miss Lambert?” asked Mrs. Sefton presently.
“No, indeed. But I am afraid Edna will be; she seems to have set her heart on going.”
“Richard will not take her,” returned Mrs. Sefton; “he has a strong objection to Captain Grant; and I must own I think he is right. He is very handsome, but he has not a straightforward look. I have no wish to see him intimate here. He is forward and pushing, and does not take a rebuff. But Edna does not agree with me,” with a quick, impatient sigh.
Captain Grant’s unfortunate invitation entirely marred the harmony of the evening. Directly the guests had left, the family sat down to a cold collation, instead of a regular dinner. Richard had only just come in and taken his place, declaring that he was as hungry as a hunter, when Edna informed him of their plans for Thursday.
“Mamma has to go up to town, so she cannot possibly go with us, and the carriage will have to fetch her from the station, so you must drive us over to Staplehurst in your dog-cart, Ritchie. I dare say Bessie will think that fun.”
Richard glanced uneasily at his stepmother before he answered, as though he wished for her opinion, and she gave him a significant look.
“I am very sorry, Edna, but I am afraid it is impossible. I have to go over to Fordham on business, and I cannot possibly be back until six.”
“On some stupid farming business, I suppose,” returned Edna, and it was evident her temper could ill brook the contradiction. Her color rose, and there was an ominous sparkle in her eye; but Richard answered composedly: