«I hope so very much,» said the Duchess. «I must see what can be done about the date — of course, I can't promise — »
«No, no,» said Mr. Milligan heartily. «I know what these things are to fix up. And then there's not only me — there's Nat Rothschild and Cadbury, and all the other names your son mentioned, to be consulted.»
The Duchess turned pale at the thought that any one of these illustrious persons might some time turn up in somebody's drawing-room, but by this time she had dug herself in comfortably, and was even beginning to find her range.
«I can't say how grateful we are to you,» she said, «it will be such a treat. Do tell me what you think of saying.»
«Well —» began Mr. Milligan.
Suddenly everybody was standing up and a penitent voice was heard to say:
«Really, most awfully sorry, y'know — hope you'll forgive me, Lady Swaffham, what? Dear lady, could I possibly forget an invitation from you? Fact is, I had to go an' see a man down in Salisbury — absolutely true, 'pon my word, and the fellow wouldn't let me get away. I'm simply grovellin' before you, Lady Swaffham. Shall I go an' eat my lunch in the corner?»
Lady Swaffham gracefully forgave the culprit.
«Your dear mother is here,» she said.
«How do, Mother?» said Lord Peter, uneasily.