When he took his leave he asked his sister to go out into the
grounds with him for a moment. This she did almost unwillingly,
fearing that he was about to speak to her of Tregear. But he had
no such purpose on his mind. 'Of course you know,' he began, 'all
that was nonsense you were saying about Mabel.'
'I did not know.'
'I was afraid you might blurt out something before her.'
'I should not be so imprudent.'
'Girls do make such fools of themselves sometimes. They are always
thinking about people being in love. But it is the truth that my
father said to me the other day how very much he liked what he had
heard of her, and that he would like you to know her.'
On that same evening Silverbridge wrote from the Beargarden the
shortest possible note to Lady Mabel, telling her what he had
arranged. 'I and Mary propose to call in B. Square on Friday at
two. I must be early because of the House. You will give us lunch.
S.' There was no word of endearment,--none of those ordinary words
which people who hate each other use to one another.
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