"Indeed, my lord. Dear me!"
"I should think so: I was taken in by it myself. It was only done to
draw the poor devil. By George, Bedford, you should have seen the
way Cashel put in his right. But you couldn't have seen it; it was
too quick. The Dutchman was asleep on the grass before he knew he'd
been hit. Byron had collected fifteen pounds for him before he came
to. His jaw must feel devilish queer after it. By Jove, Bedford,
Cashel is a perfect wonder. I'd back him for every cent I possess
against any man alive. He makes you feel proud of being an
Englishman."
Bedford looked on with submissive wonder as his master, transfigured
with enthusiasm, went hastily to and fro through the room,
occasionally clinching his fist and smiting an imaginary Dutchman.
The valet at last ventured to remind him that he had forgotten the
letter.
"Oh, hang the letter!" said Lord Worthington. "It's Mrs. Hoskyn's
writing--an invitation, or some such rot. Here; let's see it."
"Campden Hill Road, Saturday.
"My dear Lord Worthington,--I have not forgotten my promise to
obtain for you a near view of the famous Mrs. Herbert--'Madame
Simplicita,' as you call her. She will be with us to-morrow evening;
and we shall be very happy to see you then, if you care to come. At
nine o'clock, Herr Abendgasse, a celebrated German art critic and a
great friend of mine, will read us a paper on 'The True in Art'; but
I will not pay you the compliment of pretending to believe that that
interests you, so you may come at ten or half-past, by which hour
all the serious business of the evening will be over."
"Well, there is nothing like cheek," said Lord Worthington, breaking
off in his perusal. "These women think that because I enjoy life in
a rational way I don't know the back of a picture from the front, or
the inside of a book from the cover. I shall go at nine sharp."
"If any of your acquaintances take an interest in art, I will gladly
make them welcome. Could you not bring me a celebrity or two? I am
very anxious to have as good an audience as possible for Herr
Abendgasse. However, as it is, he shall have no reason to complain,
as I flatter myself that I have already secured a very distinguished
assembly. Still, if you can add a second illustrious name to my
list, by all means do so."