Part 22 (1/2)
”Mr. Leslie!” interposed Lord James, before her father could reply.
”One moment, if you please. I have told you that Mr. Blake and I are friends. More than that, we are intimate friends--chums. I wish to impress on you the very high esteem in which I hold him, the more than admiration--”
”Chuck it, Jimmy,” put in Blake.
Lord James concluded in a tone of polite frigidity. ”And since you place conditions on his welcome to your house, permit me to remark that I prefer his acquaintance to yours.” He bowed with utmost formality.
”H'm!” rasped Mr. Leslie. ”You should understand, sir. Had you not interrupted me--” He abruptly faced Blake. ”You, at least, will understand my position--that I have some reason--It is not that I wish to appear discourteous, even after this morning. You've apologized; I cannot ask you to go--I do not ask you to go. Yet--”
”If you please, papa,” said Genevieve with entrancing sweetness.
”Well?”
”Isn't it time for you to dress?”
”No--came home early,” replied Mr. Leslie, jerking out his watch. He searched his daughter's face with an apprehensive glance, and again addressed Blake. ”Too early. There's time for a run out to George Ashton's. Want to see him on a matter of business. Valuable acquaintance for you to make. Jump into the runabout with me, and I'll introduce you to him.”
”Thanks,” said Blake dryly. ”Not to-day.”
”Mr. Blake has just come, papa,” said Genevieve. ”You would not deprive us of the pleasure of a little visit.”
”H'm. By cutting it close, I can wait a few minutes.”
”You need not trouble to wait, papa. You can introduce him to Mr.
Ashton some other time.”
”May I offer myself as a subst.i.tute?” put in Lord James. ”Mrs. Gantry has told me so much about the elder Mr. Ashton. Quite curious to meet him.”
Blandly taking Mr. Leslie's a.s.sent as a matter of course, he started toward the door. ”Good-day, Miss Leslie. Ah--do we go out this way?
Can't tell you how I value the opportunity. Very good of you, very!”
”Wait,” said Mr. Leslie. ”Genevieve, haven't you an engagement out, this afternoon?”
”If I had a dozen, papa, I should not deprive Mr. Blake of his call.”
”Mr. Blake is welcome to his call. But--since you force me to say it--I must expressly tell you, it is my wish that you should not see him alone.”
”I'm very sorry, papa, that you should forbid me,” said Genevieve with a quiet tensity that should have forewarned him.
”Sorry?”
”Yes, papa, because, if you insist, I shall have to disobey you.”
”You will?”
He stared at her, astounded, and she sustained his gaze with a steadiness that he perceived could not be shaken.
Lord James again interposed. ”I beg your pardon, Mr. Leslie, if I may seem to interfere. But as he is my friend, I, too, request you--”