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"I can tell you where he was for some time, at any rate," Brooks said. "He was in Canada, for he met my father there, and was with him when he died." "Indeed," Dr. Seventon remarked. "Then I should say that you are one of the only men in England to whom he has opened his lips on the subject. Do you know what he was doing there?" "Fishing and shooting, I think." Brooks answered.
There was an influx of guests. Mrs. Bullsom, reduced to a state of chaotic nervousness, was pushed as far into the background as possible by her daughters, and Mr. Bullsom, banished from the hearth where he felt surest of himself, plunged into a conversation with Mr. Seventon on the weather. Brooks leaned over towards Mary. "Wednesday week at eight o'clock, then," he said.
Bullsom remarked, laying down her knitting, "when it's only three weeks ago you sent him ten guineas for the curates' fund. Come indeed! They'd better." "Then there's Dr. Seventon," Mr. Bullsom continued, "and his wife. Better drop him a line and tell him to look in and see me at the office. I can invent something the matter with me, and I'd best drop him a hint. They say Mrs.
"The only claim I have upon Lord Arranmore's acquaintance," he remarked, "is his kindness to my father. I hope, Dr. Seventon, that you are going to press the matter of that fever hospital home. I have a little information which I think you might make use of." Brooks changed his place, wine-glass in hand, and the conversation drifted away.
"Good day's sport?" "Very good indeed," Brooks answered. "Lord Arranmore is a wonderful shot." "A remarkable man in a great many ways, Lord Arranmore," Dr. Seventon remarked.
Seventon is exclusive. But I'll just let him know she's got to come. Now, who else, girls?" "The Huntingdons might come if they knew that it was this sort of an affair," Selina remarked, thoughtfully. "And Mr. Seaton," Louise added. "I'm sure he's most gentlemanly." "I don't want gentlemanly people this time," Mr. Bullsom declared, "I want gentle-people. That's all there is about it.
"Come and have some tea at Mellor's with me to-morrow." She seemed not to hear him. She had caught Mrs. Seventon's eye across the room, and rose to her feet. "You have left Mrs. Seventon alone all the evening," she said. "I must go and talk to her." He stood before her a little insistent. "I shall expect you at half-past four," he said. She shook her head. Oh, no. I have an engagement."
"It would be if my likes or dislikes made the slightest difference to him," she answered. "As it is, I don't suppose it matters." "Was this in England?" he asked. She shook her head. "No, it was abroad in Montreal. I really must go to Mrs. Seventon. She looks terribly bored." Brooks made no effort to detain her. He was looking intently at a certain spot in the carpet.
"There are no end of stories about him," Dr. Seventon remarked. "If I were the man I would put a stop to them by telling everybody exactly where I was during those twenty years or so. It is a big slice of one's life to seal up." "Still, there is not the slightest reason why he should take the whole world into his confidence, is there?" Brooks expostulated. "He is not a public man."
How would Wednesday week do?" "Admirably!" Mary answered. "Do you know whom you take in, Mr. Brooks?" Selina interrupted. Brooks glanced at the card in his hand. "Mrs. Seventon," he said. "Yes, thanks." Selina looked up at him with an arch smile. "Mrs. Seventon is most dreadfully proper," she said. "You will have to be on your best behaviour. Oh, here comes some one. What a bother!"
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