“On the contrary, I love them, don’t I, Mrs. Gascoyne?”
“Mr. Rank adores them, Lady Gascoyne. He positively rains coppers on poor children.”
This was perfectly true. How far my interest went beyond delight in their beauty I cannot say. I sometimes wonder how anyone can love anything but children. Their delicacy and sweetness are so exquisite compared to the faded or grosser beauty of their elders.
I held out my arms, and to Lady Gascoyne’s great surprise took the child with perfect confidence from Mrs. Gascoyne. I fancy Lady Gascoyne was somewhat alarmed, but, mother-like, could not help feeling flattered. As for Simeon, Lord Hammerton, he held out a little fat hand, and clutched a piece of my cheek cooing wildly. I walked up and down the room whilst the ladies laughed.
“By Jove,” said Lord Gascoyne, “that is more than I care to do, Marietta. I am afraid he has marked your cheek, Mr. Rank.”
“Oh, that is nothing.”
“We shall never get to the end of your abilities,” smiled Miss Gascoyne.
“What a splendid father you will make,” laughed Lady Gascoyne, and she held out her arms to the child, but as I placed him in them his infant lordship set up a shrill cry, which was immediately subdued when I took him again and resumed my promenade with him.
There was a chorus of astonishment.
“Really,” said Lady Gascoyne, “I shall have to engage you as nurse, or are you mesmerising Simeon? Is he mesmerising you then, darling?”