"Humphrey," said Mrs. Pomfret, taking his hand, "don't forget you are coming to dinner to-night. Four people gave out at the last minute, and there will be just Alice and myself. I've asked old Mr. Fitzhugh."
"All right," said Mr. Crewe, "I'll have the motor car brought around."
The latter part of this remark was, needless to say, addressed to
Victoria.
"It's awfully good of you, Humphrey," she answered, "but the Hammonds are on the road to Ripton, and I am going to ask Mr. Vane to drive me down there behind that adorable horse of his."
This announcement produced a varied effect upon those who heard it, although all experienced surprise. Mrs. Pomfret, in addition to an anger which she controlled only as the result of long practice, was horrified, and once more levelled her glasses at Austen.
"I think, Victoria, you had better come with us," she said. "We shall have plenty of time, if we hurry."
By this time Austen had recovered his breath.
"I'll be ready in an instant," he said, and made brief but polite adieus to the three others.
"Good-by," said Alice, vaguely.
"Let me know when anything develops," said Mr. Crewe, with his back to his attorney.