George found himself left next to Sidmouth Vane.
"Hallo, Neston!" said that young gentleman, with his usual freedom. "Locked her up yet?"
George said Mrs. Witt was still at large. Vane had been his fag, and George felt he was entitled to take it out of him in after life whenever he could.
"Wish you would," continued Mr. Vane. "That ass of a cousin of yours would jilt her, and I would wait outside Holloway or Clerkenwell, or wherever they put 'em, and receive her sympathetically--hot breakfast, brass band, first cigar for six months, and all that, don't you know, like one of those Irish fellows."
"Not much. A girl like that, _plus_ an income like that, might steal all Northampton for what I care. Going upstairs?"
"Yes; there's an 'At Home' on, isn't there?"
"Yes, so I'm told. I shouldn't go, if I were you."
"Gerald's going to be there--told me so."
"Really, Vane, you're very kind. We shan't fight."
"I don't know about that. He's simply mad."
"Yes; he told me you'd been trying to square Mrs. Witt behind his back, and he meant to have it out with you."
"Well," said George, "I won't run. Come along."
The guests were already pouring in, and among the first George encountered was Mr. Dennis Espion, as over-strained as ever. Espion knew that George was aware of his position on the _Bull's-eye_.
"Ah, how are you, Neston?" he said, holding out his hand.
George looked at it for a moment, and then took it.
"I support life and your kind attentions, Espion."
"Ah! well, you know, we can't help it--a matter of public interest. I hope you see our position----"
"Yes," said George, urbanely; "_Il faut vivre._"
"I don't suppose you value our opinion, but----"
"Oh yes; I value it at a penny--every evening."
"Keep it, my dear fellow. What you say has market value--to the extent I have mentioned."
"Consider this an interview? My dear Espion, certainly. Make any use of this communication you please. Good night."
George strolled away. "Suppose I was rather rude," he said to himself. "But, hang it, I must have earned that fellow fifty pounds!"
George was to earn Mr. Espion a little more yet, as it turned out. He had not gone many steps before he saw his cousin Gerald making his bow to Mrs. Pocklington. Mr. Espion saw him too, and was on the alert. Gerald was closely followed by Tommy Myles.