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"You can send them with the others to Myrlton Castle." And with a few casual words of admiration about a set of lingerie that was lying on the table, I sauntered out into the street. I do not know exactly what I felt a sense of insult, principally. I did not hate Lady Grenellen, and I did not feel jealous about Augustus. But it all seemed so terribly low.
Early next day they had come by the Scotch mail Lord and Lady Tilchester arrived with Babykins. Lady Grenellen appeared just before lunch. "I have ordered a brougham to meet the one-thirty train, Berty," she said, "to bring my Americans up. They will be here in a minute. Come into the hall with me to receive them." The Duke accompanied her reluctantly.
This was the atmosphere I had always lived in, and since my wedding the people of my own class that I have met do not seem to hold different views. Lord Tilchester is Babykins's lover. The Duke has passed on from several women, and, to come nearer home, there are my husband and Lady Grenellen. Only Lady Tilchester seems noble and above all these earthly things. Why did I hesitate? I do not know.
"Babykins, you silly darling, as if what we eat makes any difference!" said Lady Grenellen, puffing her cigarette-smoke into cloudy rings in the neatest way. "Of course it does, Cordelia! Food makes all the difference, you know. I have kept those white pigs for four years and I know all about it." Babykins has the most pathetic blue eyes, and her childish voice is arresting.
I seemed to see pictures and sounds of my earliest childhood as they spoke, I took to them at once. Following the English custom, Lady Grenellen did not introduce them to any one but Babykins, who happened to step forward, and we all proceeded to lunch, which was laid at small, round tables. The Duke wore an air of comic distress.
She is from the West, and a country-girl, and, I assure you, those Americans are quite accustomed to make a bargain. You can settle everything of that sort with the aunt." "Mercifully, Margaret Tilchester is arriving to-morrow, too," sighed the Duke. "She has such admirable judgment. I shall be able to rely upon her." "Ungrateful boy!" laughed Lady Grenellen.
Gurrage as she is doing between you two, even if she was a duchess!" "I do not understand," I said. "Well, you must have your eyes glued shut," Mrs. Gurrage continued, emphatically. "That Lady Grenellen, I mean. A nice viscountess she is, lookin' after other people's husbands! Why, you can't never have even glanced at the letters Gussie's got from her!" "Oh, but of course not!" "Well, I have.
The Duke stepped forward to help her down. "Don't you trouble," she said. "Why, we had a gymnasium at the convent. I can jump." Lady Grenellen now appeared upon the scene. She looked like an angry cat. I turned, with Lady Tilchester, and left the rest of the party.
"How has Lady Grenellen taken the engagement?" I asked. "Cordelia? Oh, she is simply furious. It is the first time any other woman has ever had a chance with her. An English girl would have a rather blank prospect in front of her for the afterwards. But these Americans are so wonderfully clever and sensible, probably Luffy will remain Miss Trumpet's devoted slave for years."
The women are very smartly dressed all the time, but they do not show a great sense of the fitness of things. Only Lady Grenellen and Lady Tilchester are always adorable and attractive in anything and in any way. I believe they do not love one another very much, although they are quite friendly; one somehow can see it in their eyes.
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