And, with it all, she kept her promise to the letter. And her husband was no less delighted than proud. And only her brother-in-law felt aggrieved.
'But it's too good to last,' was that young man's constant consolation. 'It's a record, so far; but she'll break out before the day is over; she'll entertain us yet--or I'll know the reason why!' he may have added in his most secret soul. At all events, as he sat next her at dinner, when the Lady Lettice Dunlop--his right-hand neighbour--remarked in a whisper the Bride's silence, Granville was particularly prompt to whisper back:--
'Try her about Australia. Sound her on the comparative merits of their races out there and Ascot. Talk in front of me, if you like; I don't mind; and she'll like it.'
So Lady Lettice Dunlop leant over gracefully, and said she had heard of a race called the Melbourne Cup; and how did it compare with the Gold Cup at Ascot?
The Bride shook her head conclusively, and a quick light came into her eyes. 'There is _no_ comparison.'
'You mean, of course, that your race does not compare with ours? Well, it hardly would, you know!' Lady Lettice smiled compassionately.
'Not a bit of it!' was the brusque and astonishing retort. 'I mean that the Melbourne Cup knocks spots--I mean to say, is ten thousand times better than what we saw to-day!'
The Lady Lettice sat upright again and manipulated her fan. And it was Granville's opening.
'I can quite believe it,' chimed in Gran. 'I always _did_ hear that that race of yours was the race of the world. Englishmen say so who have been out there, Lady Lettice. But you should tell us wherein the superiority lies, Gladys.'
'Why, the course is ever so much nicer; there are ever so many more people, but ever so much less crowding; the management of everything is ever so much better; and the dresses are gayer--_ever_ so much!'
'Ever so much' was a recent reform suggested by Alfred. It was an undoubted improvement upon 'a jolly sight,' which it replaced; but, like most reforms, it was apt to be too much _en evidence_ just at first.
She rattled off the points at a reckless rate, and paused fairly breathless. Her speaking looks and silent tongue no longer presented their curious contradiction; she not only looked excited, but spoke excitedly now. Lady Lettice smiled faintly, with elevated eyes and eyebrows, as she listened--till the comparison between Colonial and English dress, at which home-touch Lady Lettice was momentarily overcome behind her fan. But the Bride had other hearers besides Lady Lettice; and those who heard listened for more; and those who listened for more heard Granville remark pleasantly:--