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And then he could make his wife Lady Carbury. If only enough money might be earned to tide over the present evil day, all might be well. The one most essential obstacle to the chance of success in all this was probably Lady Carbury's conviction that her end was to be obtained not by producing good books, but by inducing certain people to say that her books were good.
Architect, contractors, engineers, a landscape gardener, and a dozen minor craftsmen, came and went, unrolled plans, moistened pencils, sketched, figured, argued, persuaded, and filled Bessy with the dread of appearing, under Blanche Carbury's eyes, subject to any restraining influences of economy. What!
She took the children for an airing in a broken perambulator, nearly as far as Holloway, with exemplary care, and washed up the cups and saucers as though her mind was intent upon them. But Mrs Pipkin's mind was intent on obeying Mr Carbury's behests. She had already hinted something as to which Ruby had made no answer.
She knew that Roger Carbury was up in town looking for her. So much she had of course learned from Sir Felix, for at this time she had seen the baronet more than once since her arrival. Montague, she knew, was Roger Carbury's intimate friend, and now she felt that she was caught. In her terror she did not at first remember that the visitor had asked for Mrs Hurtle.
Lady Carbury's house in Welbeck Street was a modest house enough, with no pretensions to be a mansion, hardly assuming even to be a residence; but, having some money in her hands when she first took it, she had made it pretty and pleasant, and was still proud to feel that in spite of the hardness of her position she had comfortable belongings around her when her literary friends came to see her on her Tuesday evenings.
Thus the whole story with most of its details, not quite with all, had come round to Lady Carbury's ears. 'What he has told you, my dear, is true. Much as I disapprove of Mr Montague, you do not suppose that I would deceive you. 'How can he know, mamma? 'He does know. I cannot explain to you how. He has been at the same house. 'Has he seen her?
It was his custom when he did not dine at home to have such documents brought to him at his office as had reached his home during his absence; and here was Lady Carbury's letter. He knew her writing well, and was aware that here was the confirmation of his fate. It had not been expected, as she had given herself another day for her answer, but here it was, beneath his hand.
Mr Broune, in a moment of enthusiasm, had put his arm round Lady Carbury's waist and had kissed her. To say that Lady Carbury was angry, as most women would be angry if so treated, would be to give an unjust idea of her character. It was a little accident which really carried with it no injury, unless it should be the injury of leading to a rupture between herself and a valuable ally.
'A deal too good for Ruby Ruggles, said Mrs Pipkin. 'And he can maintain a wife. Mr Carbury says as he's as well to do as any tradesman down in them parts. Mrs Hurtle disliked the name of Mr Carbury, and took this last statement as no evidence in John Crumb's favour. 'I don't know that I think better of the man for having Mr Carbury's friendship, she said.
Dolly Longestaffe, is, I think, very good. And Lady Carbury's literary efforts are, I am sorry to say, such as are too frequently made. But here again the young lady with her two lovers is weak and vapid. I almost doubt whether it be not impossible to have two absolutely distinct parts in a novel, and to imbue them both with interest.
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