Part 26 (2/2)
Sir Charles bowed again, more stiffly than before.
”I am, like you, a capitalist and landlord.”
”Which it seems to me you have no right to be, if you are in earnest,”
struck in Chester, who had been watching the scene in silence by Sir Charles's side.
”Which, as you say, I have undoubtedly no right to be,” said Trefusis, surveying him with interest; ”but which I nevertheless cannot help being. Have I the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Chichester Erskine, author of a tragedy ent.i.tled 'The Patriot Martyrs,' dedicated with enthusiastic devotion to the Spirit of Liberty and half a dozen famous upholders of that principle, and denouncing in forcible language the tyranny of the late Tsar of Russia, Bomba of Naples, and Napoleon the Third?”
”Yes, sir,” said Erskine, reddening; for he felt that this description might make his drama seem ridiculous to those present who had not read it.
”Then,” said Trefusis, extending his hand--Erskine at first thought for a hearty shake--”give me half-a-crown towards the cost of our expedition here to-day to a.s.sert the right of the people to tread the soil we are standing upon.”
”You shall do nothing of the sort, Chester,” cried Lady Brandon. ”I never heard of such a thing in my life! Do you pay us for the wall and fence your people have broken, Mr. Smilash; that would be more to the purpose.”
”If I could find a thousand men as practical as you, Lady Brandon, I might accomplish the next great revolution before the end of this season.” He looked at her for a moment curiously, as if trying to remember; and then added inconsequently: ”How are your friends? There was a Miss--Miss--I am afraid I have forgotten all the names except your own.”
”Gertrude Lindsay is staying with us. Do you remember her?”
”I think--no, I am afraid I do not. Let me see. Was she a haughty young lady?”
”Yes,” said Lady Brandon eagerly, forgetting the wall and fence. ”But who do you think is coming next Thursday? I met her accidentally the last time I was in town. She's not a bit changed. You can't forget her, so don't pretend to be puzzled.”
”You have not told me who she is yet. And I shall probably not remember her. You must not expect me to recognize everyone instantaneously, as I recognized you.”
”What stuff! You will know Agatha fast enough.”
”Agatha Wylie!” he said, with sudden gravity.
”Yes. She is coming on Thursday. Are you glad?”
”I fear I shall have no opportunity of seeing her.”
”Oh, of course you must see her. It will be so jolly for us all to meet again just as we used. Why can't you come to luncheon on Thursday?”
”I shall be delighted, if you will really allow me to come after my conduct here.”
”The lawyers will settle that. Now that you have found out who we are you will stop pulling down our walls, of course.”
”Of course,” said Trefusis, smiling, as he took out a pocket diary and entered the engagement. ”I must hurry away to the crossroads. They have probably voted me into the chair by this time, and are waiting for me to open their meeting. Good-bye. You have made this place, which I was growing tired of, unexpectedly interesting to me.”
They exchanged glances of the old college pattern. Then he nodded to Sir Charles, waved his hand familiarly to Erskine, and followed the procession, which was by this time out of sight.
Sir Charles, who, waiting to speak, had been repeatedly baffled by the hasty speeches of his wife and the unhesitating replies of Trefusis, now turned angrily upon her, saying:
”What do you mean by inviting that fellow to my house?”
”Your house, indeed! I will invite whom I please. You are getting into one of your tempers.”
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