Part 35 (2/2)
PRIVATE AND DIPLOMATIC
The following evening I dined alone with my brother, who was, for him, in an unusually cheerful frame of mind. He talked with more interest of life and his share in it than he had done--to me, at any rate--since the tragedy which had deprived him of a home. Toward the end of dinner I asked him a question.
”Ralph,” I said, ”how could I meet the Chinese amba.s.sador here?”
He stared at me for a moment.
”Why, at any of the diplomatic receptions, I suppose,” he said, seeing that I was in earnest. ”He is rather a pal of Freddy's. Why don't you ring up and ask him?”
”I will, the moment after dinner,” I answered.
”Why this sudden interest in Orientalism?” Ralph asked curiously.
”Curiously enough, it is apropos of these Deloras,” I answered. ”I called to-day, but only found the girl in. The man I saw later with a Chinaman whom I believe to be the amba.s.sador.”
”What is the girl like?” my brother asked.
”Charming!” I answered. ”I am writing Aunt Mary to invite her down to Feltham. The difficulty seems to be to get hold of Delora.”
”So you've written Aunt Mary, eh?” Ralph remarked, looking up at me. ”Austen, I believe you're gone on the girl!”
”I believe I am,” I admitted equably. ”So would you be if you saw her.”
Ralph half closed his eyes for a moment. It was a clumsy speech of mine!
”Seriously, Austen,” he continued, a few moments later, ”have you ever thought of marrying?”
”Equally seriously, Ralph,” I answered, ”not until I met Felicia Delora.”
”Felicia Delora!” my brother repeated. ”It's a pretty name, at any rate. I suppose I must go and see her myself.”
”Wait for a day or two, Ralph,” I begged. ”She is a little upset just now. Her uncle seems to be neglecting her for some precious scheme of his.”
”I wonder if, by any chance, you are in earnest, Austen?” my brother asked.
”I should not be surprised,” I admitted.
”It's an interesting subject, you know,” Ralph continued gravely.
”Considering my accident, and other things which we need not allude to, I think we may take it for granted that there's no chance of my ever having an heir. It's our duty to look ahead a little, you know, Austen. There isn't any manner of doubt that some time between now and the next ten years you will have to take up my place. I only hope you won't make such a hash of it.”
”Don't talk rubbish, Ralph!” I answered.
”It isn't rubbish,” he said firmly. ”You go and talk to my doctor if you don't believe me. However, I hadn't meant to say anything about this to-night. Your mentioning the girl put it into my head.
I want you, of course, to know that I am not forgetful of my responsibilities. Your two thousand a year may do you very well as a bachelor, but you are heir apparent to the t.i.tle now, and if you should think of marrying, the Fakenham estates are yours, and the house. They bring in between six and seven thousand a year, I think,--never less.”
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