This took place on Monday, and at various times during Tuesday and Wednesday, Mr. Carteret gave the subject thought. By Thursday morning his views had ripened. He ordered his tea and eggs to be served in his room and came down a little past ten dressed in morning clothes. He wandered into the dining-room and found Mrs. Ascott-Smith sitting by the fire entertaining Lord Frederic, as he went to and from the sideboard in search of things to eat.
"Good morning," said Mr. Carteret, hoarsely.
Lord Frederic looked around and as he noticed Mr. Carteret's morning clothes his face showed surprise.
"Hello!" he said, "you had better hurry and change, or you will be late. We have to start in half an hour to meet Grady."
Mr. Carteret coughed. "I don't think that I can go out to-day. It is a great disappointment."
"Not going hunting?" exclaimed Mrs. Ascott-Smith. "What is the matter?"
"I have a bad cold," said Mr. Carteret miserably.
"But, my dear fellow," exclaimed Lord Frederic, "it will do your cold a world of good!"
"Not a cold like mine," said Mr. Carteret.
"But this is the day, don't you know?" said Lord Frederic. "How am I going to manage things without you?"