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It was the Count's turn to open his eyes. "You have concluded then that I am a teetotaler?" "Of course, we know you are!" "If we may judge by your prefaces," smiled Miss Minchell. The Count began to realize the hazards that beset him; but his spirit stoutly rose to meet the shock of the occasion. "There is no use in attempting to conceal my idiosyncrasies, I see," he answered.
Knowing well the importance of the individual factor in all the contingencies of life, he set himself, in the meanwhile, to study with some attention the two ladies beside him. Miss Minchell he had already summarized as an agreeable nonentity, and this impression was only confirmed on better acquaintance.
"It was so good of you to come!" cried Miss Wallingford. "So very kind," murmured Miss Minchell. "I knew you wouldn't think it too unorthodox!" added Julia. "I'm afraid orthodoxy is a crime I shall never swing for," said the Count, with his most charming smile. "I am sure my father wouldn't REALLY mind," said Julia. "Not if Sir Justin shared your enthusiasm, dear," added Miss Minchell.
As soon as Miss Minchell had passed through the door he quietly laid his hand upon Julia's arm, and with a gesture beckoned her back into the room. "Pardon my seeming levity, Miss Wallingford," he said in a grave and gentle voice, "but you know not what emotions I had to contend with!
"When hubby s gone to Brighton, And I ve sent the cook to bed, Oh who's that a-knocking on the window!" At the conclusion of this concert he knew not whether to feel more relieved or chagrined to observe that his fair hostess had her eyes fixed upon the clock. Thanking him with a slightly embarrassed air, she threw a pointed glance at Miss Minchell, and the two ladies rose.
Miss Minchell was in the background, shrouded in shadow, purporting to be enjoying a nap; yet the Count could not but think that in so large a house a separate apartment might well have been provided for her. Her presence, he felt, circumscribed his actions uncomfortably. "So have I!" he murmured, deeming this the most appropriate answer. "Now we can talk about HIM!"
"P.S. If it would upset your arrangements to come only for the day, Miss Minchell agrees with me that we could easily put you up. "By Jingo!" mused the Count, "that's what I call a sporting offer. Her father away from home, and Count Bunker understanding better than she can explain! Gad, it's my duty to go!"
But I found mustard of that particular shade so hard to match that I finally decided in favor of this more conventional habit. I trust you don't mind?" Both the ladies, though evidently disappointed, excused him with much kindness, and Miss Minchell alluded directly to his blue lapels as evidence that even now he held himself somewhat aloof from strict orthodoxy.
I thought surely it alludes to Socialism!" "Of course; and the best advertisement for Socialism is a collision with the bobbies. My uncle was a remarkably subtle man, I assure you." "How very ingenious!" exclaimed Miss Minchell from the background. Julia did her best to feel convinced; but it was in a distinctly less ecstatic voice that she read her next extract.
"I told you he was smoking a cigar at Hechnahoul!" cried Miss Minchell with an air of triumph. "I thought you were mistaken," said Julia, and the Count could see that he had slipped a little from his pedestal. This must not be permitted; yet he must smoke. "Of course I don't smoke REAL tobacco!" he exclaimed. "Oh, in that case," cried Julia, "certainly then you may smoke in the drawing-room.
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