Here was a man worth more than a million. Why, if _he_ let him slip through his fingers, some duchess would pounce on him for her daughter.
It was well that Longcluse was really in love--well, perhaps, that he did not appreciate the social omnipotence of money.
"Where is Sir Reginald at present?" asked Lady May.
"Not here, you may be sure," answered Richard. "My father does not admit my visits, you know."
"Really! And is that miserable quarrel kept up still?"
"Only too true. He is in France at present; at Vichy--ain't it Vichy?" he said to Alice.
But she, not choosing to talk, said simply, "Yes--Vichy."
"I'm going to take Alice into town again; she has promised to stay with me a little longer. And I think you neglect her a little, don't you? You ought to come and see her a little oftener," pleaded Lady May, in an undertone.
"I only feared I was boring you all. Nothing, _you_ know, would give me half so much pleasure," he answered.
"Well, then, she'll expect your visits, mind."
A little silence followed. Richard was vexed with his sister; she was, he thought, snubbing his friend Longcluse.
Well, when once he had spoken his mind and disclosed his treasures, Richard flattered himself he had some influence; and did not Lady May swear by Mr. Longcluse? And was his father, the most despotic and violent of baronets, and very much dipt, likely to listen to sentimental twaddle pleading against a hundred thousand a year? So, Miss Alice, if you were disposed to talk nonsense, it was not very likely to be listened to, and sharp and short logic might ensue.
How utterly unconscious of all this she sits there, thinking, I daresay, of quite another person!
Mr. Longcluse was also for a moment in profound reverie; so was Richard Arden. The secrecy of thought is a pleasant privilege to the thinker--perhaps hardly less a boon to the person pondered upon.
If each man's forehead could project its shadows and the light of his spirit shine through, and the confluence of figures and phantoms that cross and march behind it become visible, how that magic-lantern might appal good easy people!
And now the ladies fell to talking and comparing notes about their guipure lacework.
"How charming yours looks, my dear, round that little table!" exclaimed Lady May in a rapture. "I'm sure I hope mine may turn out half as pretty. I wanted to compare; I'm not quite sure whether it is exactly the same pattern."