LORD OF MANY SECRETS

FIFTY SEVEN

He drew out a chair for her beside his own. "I know", he said understandably, "but it has a good appearance, and one need not go beyond the second field".

"Not go beyond the second field!" she echoed. "Why, won't you go farther, Mr Alexandra?"

"No, I don't think so", he replied very gravely. "There is sure to be a farmhouse where I can get some bread and cheese, and you must know there is nothing I like better than that".

"Bread and cheese instead of hunting!" she said. "I cannot allow it to be a choice!"

"Yes, but you see, if I went very far I should get my tops and leathers splashed by all the greasy, galloping farmers", he replied softly.

But even her partiality for him couldn't induce Miss Tellaro to smile at such a speech as that. She looked reproachful, and could only say, "I am persuaded you do not mean it".

She was to discover later that he had for once spoken in all sincerity. He abandoned the hunt after the first few fields, and was no more seen. She commented on it with strong disapproval to her guardian, who had drawn up beside her at a check, but he merely looked faintly surprised, and said that the notion of Alexandra muddied and disheveled from a long day in the saddle was too absurd to be contemplated. Upon reflecting she had to admit him to be right.

Mr Alexandra, encountered again at dinner, was unabashed. He had discovered a very excellent cheese in a farmhouse he had not previously known to exist, had regaled himself on it, and having satisfied himself that no speck of mud sullied his snowy tops, had ridden gently back to Belview to discuss with his hostess a plan for landscape gardening which had occurred to him in the night watches.

Lord Clements did not join the whist-party after dinner, but repaired to the drawing-room with several others, and was at once claimed by lady Jeremy. A rubber of casino was being played at one end of the room, but not very seriously, and the cards players, when asked, had not the least objection to a little music. The Duchess begged that Miss Crews' harp might be fetched, and Miss Crews, after a proper display of bashfulness, and some prompting from her mama, consented. The Honorable Mrs Crews, turbaned and majestic, bore down upon Lady Jeremy, and informed her that she thought her ladyship would be pleased with Cherry's performance.

"Your ladyship's mama, dear Lady Ishgon, recommended Cherry's present master to me", she announced.

"The result, I venture to think, has been most happy. She has learned to apply, and has in general acquired a proficiency upon the instrument - but I shall await your judgment, and yours too, Lord Clements. Your taste may certainly be relief on".

The Earl had risen at her approach. He bowed, and said in his most expressionless voice, "you flatter me, ma'am".

"Oh no, that I am sure I do not! Anything of that sort is repugnant to my nature. You will not find me administering to anyone's vanity, I can tell you. I say exactly what I think. Cherry is more conciliatory, I believe. I do not know where you may find a more good-natured, amiable girl. It is quite absurd!" The Earl bowed again, but said nothing. Mrs Crews tapped his sleeve with her fan. "You shall tell me what you think of her performance, but I do beg of you not to watch the child too closely, for I have had a great deal of work inducing her to play at all with you present. The nonsensical girl sets so much store by your opinion it is quite ridiculous! 'Oh, Mama!' she said to me, as we came downstairs, 'if there should be music, don't, I beg you, press me to play! I am sure I cannot with Lord Clements' critical eyes upon me!' "

"I will engage, ma'am, to turn my eyes elsewhere", replied the Earl.

"Oh, nonsense, I have no notion of indulging girls in such folly", said Mrs Crews. "'Depend upon it, my love', I told her, 'Lord Clements will be very well pleased with your performance'."

The harp had been brought into the room by this time, and Mrs Crews sailed back to fuss over her daughter, to direct Mr Patusho to move a branch of candles nearer, and Lord Alvana to bring up a more suitable chair.

Clements resumed his seat beside Lady Jeremy, and gave her one expressive glance. Her eyes were dancing. "Oh, my dear Gabriel, do you see? You must sit and gaze at Cherry throughout! Now, that isn't ill-natured of me, is it? Such a detestable, matchmaking woman! I beg you won't offer for Cherry. I shall never ask you to Osterville again if you do, and you know that would be too bad when you are one of my oldest friends".

"I can safely promise you I won't", replied the Earl.

His eyes had wandered by chance to where Miss Tellaro was seated, at no great distance, and rested there for a moment. Miss Tellaro was not looking at him, she was conversing in a quiet voice with a lively brunette.

Lady Jeremy followed the direction of the Earl's glance, and shot him one quick, shrewd look. "My dear Clements, I have always agreed with you", she said saucily. "she is lovely - quite beautiful!"

The Earl turned his eyes upon her. "Don't talk, Sally. You interrupt Miss Crews".

And indeed by this time Miss Crews had run one hand across the strings of the harp, and was about to begin.

Mrs Crews, anxiously watching his Lordship, had the doubtful felicity of seeing that he kept his word to her. Beyond bestowing one cursory glance upon the fair performer, he did not look at her again, but inspected instead his companion's famous pink pearls. He did indeed join in the applause that greeted the song, but with all his habitual languor. Miss Crews was begged to sing again, though not by him, and after a little show of reluctance, complied. My Lord Clements sank his chin in his cravat, and gazed abstractly before him.