"The Lady Cecilia will take wine with you, Mr. Titmouse, I dare say, by-and-by," observed the earl, blandly; and in a moment's time, but with perfect deliberation, the servants poured wine into the two glasses. "Your Ladyship's health, my Lady"--faltered Titmouse. She slightly bowed, and a faint smile glimmered at the corners of her mouth--but unobserved by Titmouse.
"I think you said, Mr. Titmouse," quoth the earl, some time afterwards, "that you had not yet taken possession of Yatton?"
"No, my Lord; but I go down the day after to-morrow--quite--if I may say it, my Lord--quite in style"--answered Titmouse, with humble and hesitating jocularity of manner.
"Had you any acquaintance with the Aubreys, Mr. Titmouse?" inquired the Lady Cecilia.
"No, my Lady--yes, your Ladyship, (I beg your Ladyship's pardon)--but, now I think of it, I had a slight acquaintance with Miss Aubrey." [Titmouse, Titmouse, you little wretch, how dare you say so?]
"She is considered pretty in the country, I believe," drawled Lady Cecilia, languidly.
"Oh, most uncommon lovely!--_middling_, only middling, my Lady, I should say"--added Titmouse, suddenly; having observed, as he fancied, rather a displeased look in Lady Cecilia. He had begun his sentence with more energy than he had yet shown in the house; he finished it hastily, and colored as he spoke--feeling that he had, somehow or another, committed himself.
"Do you form a new establishment at Yatton, sir?" inquired the earl, "or take to any part of that of your predecessor?"
"I have not, please your Lordship, made up my mind yet exactly--should like to know your Lordship's opinion."
"Why, sir, I should be governed by circumstances--by circumstances, sir; when you get there, sir, you will be better able to judge of the course you should pursue." Titmouse made an humble obeisance.
"Do you intend, Mr. Titmouse, to live in town, or in the country?" inquired Lady Cecilia.
"A little of both, my Lady--but mostly in town; because, as your Ladyship sees, the country is _devilish_ dull--'pon my life, my Lady--my Lord--beg a thousand pardons," he suddenly added, bowing to both, and blushing violently. Here he _had_ committed himself, and awfully; but his august companions bowed to him very kindly, and he presently recovered his self-possession.