Betty thought well to explain: "I don't know what it is, but I feel somewhat out of spirits and nervous, and am afraid of being left alone, lest something should happen."
"Happen, miss! If you are not feeling well, would it not be as well to stay at home?"
"Oh, not for the world! I must go. I shall be all right so soon as I am in the carriage. It will pass off then."
"Shall I get you a glass of sherry, or anything?"
"No, no, it is not that. You remain with me and I shall be myself again."
That evening Betty went to the theatre. There was no recurrence of the sleeping fit with its concomitants. Captain Fontanel was in the box, and made himself vastly agreeable. He had his seat by Betty, and talked to her not only between the acts, but also a good deal whilst the actors were on the stage. With this she could have dispensed. She was not such an habituée of the theatre as not to be intensely interested with what was enacted before her.
Between two of the acts he said to her: "My mother is engaging Lady Lacy. She has a scheme in her head, but wants her consent to carry it out, to make it quite too charming. And I am deputed to get you to acquiesce."
"What is it?"
"We purpose having a boat and going to the Henley Regatta. Will you come?"
"I should enjoy it above everything. I have never seen a regatta—that is to say, not one so famous, and not of this kind. There were regattas at Ilfracombe, but they were different."