“So much the healthier—braces the nerves,” said Mr. Avenel; “but you young fellows relax the system by hot rooms and late hours. Fond of dancing, of course, sir?” Then, without waiting for Randal's negative, Mr. Richard continued, rapidly, “Mrs. Avenel has a soirée dansante on Thursday—shall be very happy to see you in Eaton-square. Stop, I have a card;” and he drew out a dozen large invitation cards, from which he selected one, and presented it to Randal. The Baron pressed that young gentleman's arm, and Randal replied courteously that it would give him great pleasure to be introduced to Mrs. Avenel. Then, as he was not desirous to be seen under the wing of Baron Levy, like a pigeon under that of a hawk, he gently extricated himself, and, pleading great haste, walked quickly on toward his office.
“That young man will make a figure some day,” said the Baron. “I don't know any one of his age with so few prejudices. He is a connection by marriage to Audley Egerton, who—”
“Audley Egerton!” exclaimed Mr. Avenel; “d—d haughty, aristocratic, disagreeable, ungrateful fellow!”
“Why, what do you know of him?”
“He owed his first seat in parliament to the votes of two near relations of mine, and when I called upon him some time ago, in his office, he absolutely ordered me out of the room. Hang his impertinence; if ever I can pay him off, I guess I shan't fail for want of good-will!”
“Ordered you out of the room? That's not like Egerton, who is civil, if formal—at least to most men. You must have offended him in his weak point.”
“A man whom the public pays so handsomely should have no weak point. What is Egerton's?”
“Oh, he values himself on being a thorough gentleman—a man of the nicest honor,” said Levy, with a sneer. “You must have ruffled his plumes there. How was it?”
“I forget now,” answered Mr. Avenel, who was far too well versed in the London scale of human dignities since his marriage, not to look back with a blush at his desire of knighthood. “No use bothering our heads now about the plumes of an arrogant popinjay. To return to the subject we were discussing. You must be sure to let me have this money next week.”
“Rely on it.”