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"Have you and she had any conversation since you came back?" "Not a word." "Then I tell you fairly you've got trouble before you. Amelia and Maria, Mrs Lupex, I mean, are as thick as thieves just at present, and they have been talking you over. Maria, that is, Mrs Lupex, lets it all out to me. You'll have to mind where you are, old fellow."
First came Cradell, and leaning on his arm, I regret to say, was Mrs Lupex Egyptia conjux! Then there came Miss Spruce with young Roper; Amelia and her mother brought up the rear together. There was no longer question of flight now; and poor Eames, before he knew what he was doing, was carried down into the dining-room with the rest of the company.
Mrs Roper was becoming very tired of Mr Lupex also, and would not have been unhappy if he also had run away, leaving behind him so much of his property as would have paid his bill.
And now, just as he was starting for Allington, Eames returned the compliment. They had gone together to the Great Western station at Paddington, and Johnny tendered his advice as they were walking together up and down the platform. "I say, Caudle, old boy, you'll find yourself in trouble with that Mrs Lupex, if you don't take care of yourself." "But I shall take care of myself.
Her face was simply stern and impassive, and she seemed inclined to eat her dinner in silence. A slight smile of derision had passed across her face as she heard Mrs Lupex whisper, and it might have been discerned that her nose, at the same time, became somewhat elevated; but she said not a word. "I hope you've enjoyed yourself, Mr Eames, among the vernal beauties of the country," said Mrs Lupex.
And she made way for him to a chair which was between herself and the wall. Cradell looked half afraid of his fortunes as he took the proffered seat; but he did take it, and was soon secured from any positive physical attack by the strength and breadth of Miss Roper's crinoline. "Dear me! Here's a change," said Mrs Lupex, out loud.
Cradell, therefore, did not settle the day for the little dinner; but merely remarked that he should be very happy at some future day. "And now, Lupex, suppose you get off to bed," said his wife. "You've had a very trying day, you know." "And you, ducky?" "I shall come presently. Now don't be making a fool of yourself, but get yourself off.
But then Amelia carried the greater guns, and was able to pour in heavier metal than her enemy could use; and she, too, swam in her own waters. Should they absolutely come to grappling and boarding, Amelia would no doubt have the best of it; but Mrs Lupex would probably be too crafty to permit such a proceeding as that. She was, however, ready for the occasion, and greedy for the fight.
I was at Dieppe last June, and found that very delightful though rather lonely. I shall go to Ostend this year; only December is so late for Ostend. It was a deuced shame my getting December, wasn't it, Johnny?" "Yes, it was," said Eames. "I managed better." "And what have you been doing, Mr Eames?" said Mrs Lupex, with one of her sweetest smiles.
As regarded his friend Cradell, he could not but feel ashamed of him, ashamed of him, not for running away from Mr Lupex, but for excusing his escape on false pretences. And then, at last, he opened the letter from Amelia. "Dearest John," it began; and as he read the words, he crumpled the paper up between his fingers.
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