Silverbridge had mounted a private hansom cab in which he could be
taken about rapidly,--and, as he said himself, without being shut
up in a coffin. In this vehicle he had himself taken to
Roehampton, purporting to kill two birds with one stone. He had
not as yet seen his sister since she had been with Lady Cantrip.
He would on this day come back by the Horns.
He was well aware that Lady Mab would be at the garden-party. What
place could be better for putting the question he had to ask! He
was by no means so confident as the heir to so many good things
might perhaps have been without overdue self-confidence.
Entering through the house into the lawn he encountered Mrs
Montacute Jones, who, with a seat behind her on the terrace,
surrounded by flowers, was going through the immense labour of
receiving her guests.
'How very good of you to come all this way, Lord Silverbridge, to
eat my strawberries.'
'How very good of you to ask me! I did not come to eat your
strawberries but to see your friends.'
'You ought to have said you came to see me, you know.
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