I had been so rapt in my idea that for the moment my guard was down. The watchful foe took instant advantage of it. Unseen by me, he had quietly beckoned to Loring, who crossed over to us.
“Rollo,” he said, “my wife wants to speak to you a moment most particularly. She is waiting there.”
I was out-manœuvred--the ally had taken me in the flank. I couldn’t resist. I looked at them, and then at Mrs. Loring, who was waiting, tapping her toe with her parasol. There was no way out. I turned away, and, looking over my shoulder, saw the triumphant foe turn the corner of the greenhouse into the shrubbery, a road of the third class, impassable for artillery.
“Now, Mrs. Loring,” I said, smarting under my defeat; “I am glad to see you. What do you want?”
“Oh, Mr. Butterfield,” she returned effusively, “I’ve been wanting to speak to you all the afternoon. Isn’t it a lovely day?”
“It is a lovely day; a lovely day,” I replied. “I have been greatly struck by the beauty of the day.”
“It is perfect,” she said, endeavouring to gain time. “Oh, how nice it is to be young, Mr. Butterfield!”
“Mrs. Loring,” I answered severely, “did you send for me to tell me it was a lovely day, and that it was nice to be young?”
“Of course not,” she replied, much embarrassed. “I wanted--I wanted to talk to you. I wanted--oh, do help me, Loring.”
“Molly wanted to tell you, Rollo----” began Chatterton.
I silenced him with a peremptory wave of the hand.
“Molly wanted to tell me something I didn’t know,” I replied. “Molly wanted to tell me that I was blind and deaf and stupid, and that I couldn’t see what was under my nose. She wanted to tell me of afternoon appointments at her house, and Heaven knows what sort of carrying on. She wanted----”
“Well, you shouldn’t tease them so,” replied Mrs. Loring, illogical, after the manner of women, but staunch.
“Madam,” I said, “I am not so fatuous as to suppose that if two young persons intend to practise idolatry on one another, my wisdom and experience will stop them. But I have been plotted against, have been told nothing; and I am entitled to get what melancholy amusement I can out of the affair. You have spoiled my entertainment.”
I adjusted my hat to an angle suggestive of rectitude, and bowed myself away. I made for my hostess, and had myself presented to the general.