He had indoctrinated Gerald with all his ideas of a
sportsman,--even to a contempt for champagne and a conviction that
tobacco should be moderated. The three lords too had proved
themselves efficient, and the thing was going to be a success. But
just when a day was of vital importance, when it was essential
that there should be a strong party for a drive, Silverbridge
found it absolutely necessary that he should go over to
Killancodlem.
'She has gone,' said Nidderdale.
'Who the ---- is she?' asked Silverbridge almost angrily.
'Everybody know who she is,' said Popplecourt.
'It will be a good thing when some she has got hold of you, my
boy, so as to keep you in your proper place.'
'If you cannot withstand that sort of attraction you ought not to
go in for shooting at all,' said Dobbes.
'I shouldn't wonder at his going,' continued Nidderdale, 'if we
didn't all know that the American is no longer there. She has gone
to--Bath, I think they say.'
'I suppose it Mrs Jones herself,' said Popplecourt.
'My dear boy,' said Silverbridge, 'you may be quite sure that when
I say that I am going to Killancodlem I mean to go to
Killancodlem, and that no chaff about young ladies,--which I think
very disgusting,--will stop me.
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