"I am sure a lady so well-born will be a charming companion," said Mrs. John, "whether she has been an actress or not."
"And we must change the sherry," said her husband.
CHAPTER XXXII.
CONFESSION.
By the time that Mrs. Anerley arrived, Dove was sufficiently well to suffer removal from the hotel; and as there was now no help for it, the whole family removed to those rooms which Will had engaged for them from his landlord. The position of affairs had now to be disclosed; and with all the cheerfulness and mutual consolation they could muster, the prospect seemed doleful enough. Every one seemed to be chiefly concerned for Dove, and Dove was the least concerned of all. She put her arm round Mr. Anerley's neck, as he bent over the couch on which she lay, and whispered to him—
"You have lost all your shooting, poor papa."
"Yes."
"But then you have me. I'm as good as the biggest partridge you ever saw, am I not?"
"I think you are, darling."
"And you have lost all your fishing, poor papa."