"I should be a marvel of conceit and vanity if I were foolish enough to
believe that you meant some of the pretty things you say to me,"
remarked Nell. "And have I got the complete list of all the guests? I
asked Lord Wolfer, and he said that he should like Lord and Lady
Angleford invited."
Lady Wolfer nodded.
"All right. You will find their address in the _Court Guide_. But I think
he has the gout, and Lady Angleford never goes anywhere without him.
Did--did my husband say anything more about the party--or--anything?" she
asked, bending over the proofs of a speech she was correcting.
"No," said Nell. "Only that he left everything to you, of course."
"Of course," said her ladyship. "He is, as usual, utterly indifferent
about everything concerning me. Don't look so scared, my child," she
added, with a bitter little laugh. "That is the usual attitude of the
husband, especially when he is a public man, and needs a figure to sit
at the head of his table and ride in his carriages instead of a wife!
There! you are going to run away, I see. And you look as if I had talked
high treason. My dear Nell, when you know as much of the world as you
know of your prayer book----Bah! why should I open those innocent eyes
of yours? Run away--and play, I was going to say; but I'm afraid you
don't get much play. Archie was saying only yesterday that we were
working you too hard, and that we ought to be ashamed of ourselves."
Nell flushed rather resentfully.
"I am much obliged to Sir Archie's expression of sympathy," she began.
"Yes! You sound like it!" said Lady Wolfer, laughing. "My dear, why
don't you get angry oftener? It suits you. Your face just wants that
dash of color; and I'd no idea your eyes were so violety! You can give
me a kiss if you like--mind the ink! Ah, Nell, some day some man will go
mad over that same face and eyes of yours. Well, don't marry a
politician, or a man who thinks it undignified to care for his wife!
There, do go!"
As Nell went away, puzzled by Lady Wolfer's words and manner, her
ladyship let her head fall upon her hand, and, sighing deeply, gazed at
the "proof" as if she had forgotten it.
Nell did not send for Madame Cerise, but purchased a skirt of black lace,
and set to work to make up the bodice. She was engaged on this one evening
two nights before the dinner, when Burden came in with: "A gentleman to see you, miss. He's in the library. It's Mr. Lorton,
your brother, I think----"