Part 12 (2/2)
I knew it would be a most horrid thing to do, but it was even horrider than I thought.
All the way going back I was planning what to say, and feeling damp on the forehead, thinking how impudent it would seem in _me_, a young girl and a guest, to make such a suggestion. But it had to be done, so I screwed up my courage, swallowed half of it again, with a lump in my throat, and exclaimed in a gay, spontaneous way, like the sweet, innocent angel I am: ”Oh, Sir Lionel, _wouldn't_ it be fun if Mrs.
Senter and--and her nephew were going with us for a little way? They both love motoring.”
He looked surprised and Emily pursed her lips.
”Do you want them to come?” he asked.
”Well, I just thought of it,” I stammered.
”I thought you didn't like Burden,” he said. No wonder, as I'd unfortunately unbosomed myself of my real sentiments not three hours before!
”I think he's amusing enough,” I tried to slide out of the difficulty.
”And Mrs. Senter probably wouldn't go without him.”
”I somehow gathered an impression that you didn't admire her particularly,” went on Sir Lionel, looking at me with a very straight look.
”Oh, I never said so!” I cried. ”I admire her immensely.”
”In that case, I'll ask them, with pleasure,” said Sir Lionel. ”The idea did cross my mind in London, but I didn't think you'd care for it, somehow. Emily will be pleased, I know. Won't you, Emily? And if Mrs.
Senter will be as reasonable as you two in the matter of luggage we shall have plenty of room.”
”It is your car, and the idea of the tour is yours,” said Mrs. Norton, very feminine and resigned, also feeling that my ”cheek” deserved a tiny scratch. ”I am pleased with whatever pleases _you_.”
Next morning (or rather the _same_ morning, and _this_ morning) Sir Lionel got his sister to write a note to Mrs. Senter, and he wrote one too, or added a P. S. ”Aunt Gwen's” reply was a ladylike warwhoop of joy; and we are now waiting till the latest additions to our party have broken the news to their hostess at Hayling Island, packed a few things to take, and sent the rest ”home” (wherever that may be) with Mrs.
Senter's maid.
Good-bye, my Parisienne Angel.
Your broken and badly repaired
Audrie-Ellaline.
I long to hear whether you think I ought to have braved d.i.c.k.
X
SIR LIONEL PENDRAGON TO COLONEL PATRICK O'HAGAN
_Royal Hotel, Winchester_, _July 21st. Night_
My dear Pat: I thought of you on the Portsmouth Downs yesterday, remembering a tramp you and I had together, ”exploring wild England,” as we called it. We then had a pose that all England, except ”town,” was wild--save only and always when there was any shooting of poor silly pheasants or hunting of ”that pleasant little gentleman,” the fox.
After running out through Portsmouth, I suggested stopping the car and mounting the downs above, on foot, for a look at the view. There are now five in our party, instead of three--not counting Young Nick, who has no stomach for views. At Ellaline's expressed wish, Mrs. Senter and d.i.c.k Burden have come on with us from Hayling Island, where they were staying. We met them at a dance on the _Thunderer_, which Starlin captains. They have been invited to be of the party for a fortnight or so.
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