'Yes, mother, for a little while.'
'Where can you be going?'
'I want to run over to Colonel Gainsborough's for a minute or two.'
'Colonel Gainsborough! You don't want to see him to-night?'
'Neither to-night nor any time—at least I can live without it; but there's somebody else there that would like to see me. I'll be back soon, mother.'
'But, Pitt, that is quite absurd! That child can wait till morning, surely; and I want you myself. I think I have a better claim.'
'You have had me a good while already, and shall have me again,' said Pitt, laughing. 'I am just going to steal a little bit of the evening, mother. Be generous!'
And he opened the hall door and was off, and the door closed behind him. Mrs. Dallas went back to the supper room with a very discomfited face.
'Hildebrand,' she said, in a tone that made her husband look up, 'there is no help for it! We shall have to send him to England.'
'What now?'