Lady Mary preserved her sweet calm. The Earl did not move an eyelid. He lifted his glass of port.
“Success to you, my boy. You have got a chance now. And I am sure you will make good.”
The young man drained his glass also.
“Yes, I think I shall make good. What I just wanted was a chance.”
Mary shot a warning glance at her father. It was just on the cards that he might have blurted out something that would have hurt his son’s pride, led him to understand that it was his father’s secret influence that had got him this post.
But, fortunately, at this stage the Earl’s mental faculties were not very acute. He was already beginning to nod over his port.
A few moments later, Lord Saxham’s somnolent faculties became more fully developed. Mary pointed to the terrace which was approached by the dining-room windows. She leaned across the table and whispered.
“Shall we take a stroll? I would like to talk all this over with you.”
Guy nodded and rose. They went noiselessly to the terrace, and sat down on one of the numerous seats, overlooking the lovely gardens beneath.
Mary opened the conversation at once.