Hugh looked at the gentleman to whom they were so indebted. Then do you happen to know, sir, what your friend means to do with his spoil?
The question got itself but dryly treated, as if it might be a commercially calculating or interested one. Oh, not sell it again.
Then ship it to New York? the inquirer pursued, defining himself somehow as not snubbed and, from this point, not snubbable.
That appearance failed none the less to deprive Lord John of a betrayed relish for being able to displease Lady Graces odd guest by large assent. As fast as ever he canand you can land things there now, cant you? in three or four days.
I dare say. But cant he be induced to have a little mercy? Hugh sturdily pursued.
Lord John pushed out his lips. A little? How much do you want?
Well, one wants to be able somehow to stay his hand.
I doubt if you can any more stay Mr. Benders hand than you can empty his purse.
Ah, the Despoilers! said Crimble with strong expression. But its we, he added, who are base.
Base?and Lord Johns surprise was apparently genuine.
To want only to do business, I mean, with our treasures, with our glories.
Hughs words exhaled such a sense of peril as to draw at once Lady Grace. Ah, but if were above that here, as you know!
He stood smilingly corrected and contrite. Of course I knowbut you must forgive me if I have it on the brain. And show me first of all, wont you? the Moretto of Brescia.
You know then about the Moretto of Brescia?
Why, didnt you tell me yourself? It went on between them for the moment quite as if there had been no Lord John.
Probably, yes, she recalled; so how I must have swaggered! After which she turned to the other visitor with a kindness strained clear of urgency. Will you also come?
He confessed to a difficultywhich his whole face begged her also to take account of. I hoped youd be at leisurefor something Ive so at heart!
This had its effect; she took a rapid decision and turned persuasively to Crimblefor whom, in like manner, there must have been something in her face. Let Mr. Bender himself then show you. And there are things in the library too.
Oh yes, there are things in the library. Lord John, happy in his gained advantage and addressing Hugh from the strong ground of an initiation already complete, quite sped him on the way.
Hugh clearly made no attempt to veil the penetration with which he was moved to look from one of these counsellors to the other, though with a ready Thank-you! for Lady Grace he the next instant started in pursuit of Mr. Bender.
V
Your friend seems remarkably hot! Lord John remarked to his young hostess as soon as they had been left together.
He has cycled twenty miles. And indeed, she smiled, he does appear to care for what he cares for!
Her companion then, during a moments silence, might have been noting the emphasis of her assent. Have you known him long?
Nonot long.
Nor seen him often?
Only oncetill now.
Oh! said Lord John with another pause. But he soon proceeded. Let us leave him then to cool! I havent cycled twenty miles, but Ive motored forty very much in the hope of this, Lady Gracethe chance of being able to assure you that I too care very much for what I care for. To which he added on an easier note, as to carry off a slight awkwardness while she only waited: You certainly mustnt let yourselfbetween us allbe worked to death.
Oh, such days as thisI She made light enough of her burden.
They dont come often to me at least, Lady Grace! I hadnt grasped in advance the scale of your fête, he went on; but since Ive the great luck to find you alone! He paused for breath, however, before the full sequence.
She helped him out as through common kindness, but it was a trifle colourless. Alone or in company, Lord John, Im always very glad to see you.
Then that assurance helps me to wonder if you dont perhaps gently guess what it is I want to say. This time indeed she left him to his wonder, so that he had to support himself. Ive tried, all consideratelythese three monthsto let you see for yourself how I feel. I feel very strongly, Lady Grace; so that at lastand his impatient sincerity took after another instant the jumpwell, I regularly worship you. Youre my absolute ideal. I think of you the whole time.
She measured out consideration as if it had been a yard of pretty ribbon. Are you sure you know me enough?
I think I know a perfect woman when I see one! Nothing now at least could have been more prompt, and while a decent pity for such a mistake showed in her smile he followed it up. Isnt what you rather mean that you havent cared sufficiently to know me? If so, that can be little by little mended, Lady Grace. He was in fact altogether gallant about it. Im aware of the limits of what I have to show or to offer, but I defy you to find a limit to my possible devotion.
She deferred to that, but taking it in a lower key. I believe youd be very good to me.
Well, isnt that something to start with?he fairly pounced on it. Ill do any blest thing in life you like, Ill accept any condition you impose, if youll only tell me you see your way.
Shouldnt I have a little more first to see yours? she asked. When you say youll do anything in life I like, isnt there anything you yourself want strongly enough to do?
He cast a stare about on the suggestions of the scene. Anything that will make money, you mean?
Make money or make reputationor even just make the time pass.
Oh, what I have to look to in the way of a career? If that was her meaning he could show after an instant that he didnt fear it. Well, your father, dear delightful man, has been so good as to give me to understand that he backs me for a decent deserving creature; and Ive noticed, as you doubtless yourself have, that when Lord Theign backs a fellow!
He left the obvious moral for her to take upwhich she did, but all interrogatively. The fellow at once comes in for something awfully good?
I dont in the least mind your laughing at me, Lord John returned, for when I put him the question of the lift hed give me by speaking to you first he bade me simply remember the complete personal liberty in which he leaves you, and yet which doesnt cometake my word! said the young man sagelyfrom his being at all indifferent.
No, she answeredfather isnt indifferent. But fathers great
Great indeed!her friend took it as with full comprehension. This appeared not to prevent, however, a second and more anxious thought. Too great for you?
Well, he makes me feeleven as his daughtermy extreme comparative smallness.
It was easy, Lord John indicated, to see what she meant Hes a grand seigneur, and a serious onethats what he is: the very type and model of it, down to the ground. So you can imagine, the young man said, what he makes me feelmost of all when hes so awfully good-natured to me. His being as great as you say and yet backing mesuch as I am!doesnt that strike you as a good note for me, the best you could possibly require? For he really would like what I propose to you.