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You know how uninteresting our set of young men are as a rule. Well, directly I met Mr. Brooks at Enton I felt that he was different. He interested me very much. Then I have always wanted to do something useful, to get something different into my life, and he found me exactly the sort of work I wanted.
"Sybil has nine hundred a year," Lady Caroom said, "but it would not be a matter of money at all. I should not allow Sybil to marry any one concerning whose position in the world there was the least mystery. She might marry Lord Kingston of Ross, but never Mr. Kingston Brooks." "Has Mr. Brooks given any special signs of devotion?" Lord Arranmore asked. "Not since they were at Enton.
"Don't look like that," she exclaimed. "Forgive me, but you made me think do you remember that night at Enton, when Lord Arranmore spoke of his work amongst the poor, how the hopelessness of it began to haunt him and weigh upon him till he reached the verge of madness. You had something of that look just now." He smiled faintly. "Believe me, it was fancy," he answered, earnestly.
Sport is an excellent thing, but I detest young men who do nothing else but shoot and hunt and loaf about. It seems to me to destroy character where work creates it. All the same, I hope you will find an opportunity to come to Enton and say good-bye to us." Brooks was suddenly conscious that it would be no pleasant thing to say good-bye to Lady Sybil.
"I know nothing about Lady Caroom," Brooks replied, without any overplus of graciousness. Selina looked at him in some dismay. "But you met her at Enton, didn't you?" she asked. "Oh, yes, I met her there," Brooks answered, impatiently. "But I certainly don't know enough of her to discuss her with Mrs. Huntingdon. I rather wanted to speak to your cousin."
He had already recited the story of Kingston Brooks' greatness to both of his immediate neighbours, and in a casual way mentioned his early patronage of that remarkable young man. And once meeting his eye he raised his glass. "Not quite up to the Enton vintage, Brooks, eh? but all right, I hope." Brooks nodded back, and resumed his conversation.
Bullsom, in a resplendent new dress, looking shinier and fatter than ever, was prepared to listen to anything which might relieve the tension of the moment. For it was the evening of the dinner-party, and within ten minutes of the appointed time. Mr. Bullsom stood under the incandescent light and read aloud "The shooting-party at Enton yesterday consisted of the Marquis of Arranmore, the Hon.
Hennibul, who was one of the men sitting round, doubled his copy of Verity up and beat the air with it. "I knew I'd heard the name," he exclaimed. "Why, I've met him down at Enton. Nice-looking young fellow." Arranmore nodded. "Yes. That was Brooks." Mr. Hennibul's face beamed. "Great Scott, what a haul!" he exclaimed. "Why, you've got old Lavilette on toast you've got him for suing damages too.
He dined at Enton that night, and improved his acquaintance with Lady Caroom and her daughter, who were still staying there. Although this was not a matter which he had mentioned to Mr.
In the hall a housemaid was speaking at the telephone, and a moment afterwards she laid the receiver down and came towards them. "It is a message for Mr. Brooks, sir, from the Queen's Hotel. Lord Arranmore's compliments, and the ladies from Enton are at the theatre this evening, and would be glad if Mr. Brooks would join them at the Queen's Hotel for supper at eleven o'clock."
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