Henry took a gla.s.s of wine proffered by a pa.s.sing waiter.

"Almost you convince me, Simon!"

"You? Parson's mousetrap?" Verey looked almost comically surprised.

"Do I know the lady?"

"You should do," Henry murmured.

"She is the only one I have ever evinced an interest in marrying!"

Verey spluttered into his wine.

"But...! presume you mean... But that was five years ago, old fellow!

Mean to say, I thought it was a thing of the past!"

"So it was, but not any more."

"Well!" Verey sat down a little heavily.

"Am I to wish you happy, then?"

"Not yet." Lord Henry's gaze returned thoughtfully to the slouching figure of Tristan Dit ton.

"Certain business is getting in the way. When it concludes..."

There was a crash from across the room as Peter Sea grave tried to take his place at a faro table, clutched unsteadily at his chair and succeeded only in overturning it and drawing attention to himself.

"Hope she has more steadiness of character than her brother," Verey said gloomily.

Lord Henry grinned.

"Oh, decidedly! And it may be unchivalrous in me to say so, but she holds her drink with a great deal more charm!"

Chapter Five.

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It will not be long before Mama warns me," Polly said gloomily as she and Lucille strolled along Bond Street in search of items for Lucille's belated wedding trip.

"Oh, look, Lucille, those satin dancing slippers are the most exquisite things! Why do you not take those with you?"

"I fear they will see little wear in the Lake District," Lucille observed mildly.

"A pair of stout walking boots would be more the thing!"

"And a parasol to keep the sun off! Mama would consider it deplorable for you to return with a tan!"

Lucille laughed.

"A fine figure I shall cut in boots and a parasol! Why do you not buy the slippers yourself?"

But Polly's gaze had alighted on an embroidered reticule which would look perfect with her striped walking dress.

"I have only enough of my allowance left for one purchase," she said regretfully.

"Oh, look at those beautiful silk gloves! Now I am in a quandary!"

Lucille laughed.

"Do you need any of these things?"

"Oh, no! At least--' Polly wrinkled up her nose.

"Not need, precisely, but it would be pleasant to have them! Am I monstrously extravagant?"

Lucille, who privately thought that her sister-in-law was surprisingly un spoilt for all her privileged upbringing, rea.s.sured her that this was not the case at all.

Once the reticule had been settled upon and bought, and they were walking on, Lucille said suddenly, "I was attending to you really! What is it that she will warn you about, Polly?"

Polly looked puzzled, then her face cleared.

"Oh, about Lord Henry March night! In fact, I am surprised that Mama has not spoken before now!

It is unlike her to allow me so much licence! " In the previous two weeks. Lord Henry had been much in evidence in Brook Street, calling on Polly, taking her riding or driving, accompanying her to routs, parties and picnics. Polly had tried to take his attentions lightly but it was becoming increasingly difficult not to think that he might have serious intentions and, oddly, Lucille's next words echoed this.

"I believe that your mama is in a dilemma, Polly," she said thoughtfully.

"She feels that she should warn you against Lord Henry's advances, but she cannot quite disabuse herself of the hope that he is in earnest!

Not even your mama is prepared to offend the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of March night by suggesting that one of their sons is not a suitable match for her daughter!"

Polly bit her lip.

"Do you truly think... I try not to let myself hope too much, but--'

She broke off.

"I dare say I should not set too much store by his behaviour. After all, he is a shocking flirt!"

"He has not flirted with anyone else since he started to pay serious court to you," Lucille pointed out quietly.

The colour flooded Polly's face, then receded to leave her very pale.

"No, that's true! I had not thought... But perhaps he is only flirting with meY " You may judge for yourself whether Lord Henry is sincere,"

Lucille said with a little smile, 'for I see him coming this way!"

It was true. Lord Henry March night, in company with the Vereys and a young lady of schoolroom appearance, was sauntering along the pavement towards them. Polly saw him quicken his step as he caught sight of them and the two parties met and greeted each other with unaffected pleasure.

"Lady Sea grave! Lady Polly!" Lord Henry was smiling at Polly in a way that made her feel suddenly rather hot.