And now we want you
both to come and dine with us on Monday. I know Lord George is
particular, and so I've brought a note. You can't have anything to do
yet, and of course you'll come. Houghton will be back on Sunday, and
goes down again on Tuesday morning. To hear him talk about it you'd
think he was the keenest man in England across a country. Say that
you'll come."

"I'll ask Lord George."

"Fiddle de dee. Lord George will be only too delighted to come and see
me. I've got such a nice cousin to introduce to you; not one of the
Germain sort, you know, who are all perhaps a little slow. This man is
Jack De Baron, a nephew of papa's. He's in the Coldstreams, and I do
think you'll like him. There's nothing on earth he can't do, from
waltzing down to polo. And old Mildmay will be there, and Guss Mildmay,
who is dying in love with Jack."

"And is Jack dying in love with Guss?"

"Oh! dear no; not a bit. You needn't be afraid. Jack De Baron has just
L500 a year and his commission, and must, I should say, be over head
and ears in debt. Miss Mildmay may perhaps have L5,000 for her fortune.
Put this and that together, and you can hardly see anything comfortable
in the way of matrimony, can you?"

"Then I fear your----Jack is mercenary."

"Mercenary;--of course he's mercenary. That is to say, he doesn't want
to go to destruction quite at one leap. But he's awfully fond of
falling in love, and when he is in love he'll do almost
anything,--except marry."

"Then if I were you, I shouldn't ask--Guss to meet him."

"She can fight her own battles, and wouldn't thank me at all if I were
to fight them for her after that fashion. There'll be nobody else
except Houghton's sister, Hetta. You never met Hetta Houghton?"

"I've heard of her."

"I should think so. 'Not to know her,'--I forget the words; but if you
don't know Hetta Houghton, you're just nowhere. She has lots of money,
and lives all alone, and says whatever comes uppermost, and does what
she pleases. She goes everywhere, and is up to everything. I always
made up my mind I wouldn't be an old maid, but I declare I envy Hetta
Houghton. But then she'd be nothing unless she had money. There'll be
eight of us, and at this time of the year we dine at half-past seven,
sharp. Can I take you anywhere? The carriage can come back with you?"

"Thank you, no. I am going to pick Lord George up at the Carlton at
four."

"How nice! I wonder how long you'll go on picking up Lord G