CHAPTER XIX.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 353, 23 March 1889, Page 3

CHAPTER XIX.

AN INVITATION TO JJBABAZON. 'Really, Mr Denver,' Mrs Shepperton simpered, 'ib is wonderful bhab amid so many admirers you should have escaped hearb-whole, and did nob "return to your native country accompanied by a noble foreign bride. Did you never,' eyeing him with graceful badinage, ' feel inclined to burn Benedict,' and bring home a lovely Italian princess to Brabazon ?' ' No,' he replied, casting a side-long glance at Dulcie, who kept her head pcrseveringly turned away.' 'On the whole, I piefer English girls. If I ever do marry again — which, now that I intend settling in England, and have bought a fine house in Grosvenor Square, is not altogether improbable— l shall choose one of my own countrywomen.' ' Ah !' she exclaimed . with an approving smile, ' how wise you are, my dear Mr Denver ! For after all there is a fresh ness, an unconsciousness - a — solidity about our English girls nob to be met with in the maidens of any other race. Besides which, English, girls are so sensible, and make such excellent wives. 3 ' What does Miss Dulcie think about the matter?' he asked, with an amused twinkle in his, grey eye?. 'Is she of the same opinion ?' '■Miss Dulcie'declines to take any part in the discussion,' responded bhegirl promptly. * Miss Dulcie's views are out of date, and she considers when a man wants to marry he should consult his own inclinations alone, and nob those of any third person.' ' Bravo !' lie exclaimed, maintaining the same bantering tone which she found so obnoxious, but which he invariably employed when addressing frer. '-I perceive bhab you have already given your great mind to tho question of matrimony, and formed remarkably decided opinions. 1 His persistent levity nettled her, ' I wish to goodness,' she said, hotly, 'that you would give your " great mind !1 to the adjustment of your own affaire, and . leave me to conduct mine after my own fashion.' 'By ell means,' he replied, coolly. ' And, from what I have seen, I have no doubt you are capable of doing so most satisfactorily.' He .liked piquing her into an open expression of anger. She looked so awfully pretty when her' eyes flashed defiantly, and the little pearly teeth gleamed between the rosy, parted lips, while her cheeks flushed into a sudden colour that would have pub a sweet red rose to shame. Talking to her was like playing on some delicate stringed instrument that responded to every touch of the finger. She amused him immensely, atfcl yet, 'if Mrs Shepperbon could have -looked deep down into his heart of -hearts, she would have been i surpri&ed to find that her, ' poor little gawky, sbupicbDulcie ' had aheady inspired him with as much respect as ib was in his nature to entevbain for any 1 woman, the majority of whom he was wonb to regard> as playthings pub into the world to be toyed with, laid aside, and broken, expressly for man's amusemenb. She would have been surprised to find that, spoilt, selfish, sensual as he was. he ' could still, in a faltering, semi-conscions way, appreciate the pure and innocent nature of her youngesb daughter ; and that instinctively he recognised, that however ! worldly, mercenary and match-making the mother might be, Dulcie would *lend herself to no degrading matrimonial artifice. 4Do you happen to know my friend Pushingbon, Mrs Shepperton ?' he asked, after a slight pause, during which Dulcie glared at him. like a young tigress. Mrs Shepperton shook her head. She was ashamed to confess her complete ignorance as to who or what Purhingbon might be. ' I mean Lord Pushington,' exclaimed Mr Denver -condescendingly. 'He is one of ■my greatest, pals. We were at the same school together. His father was a lawlord, and died just afber the title was created. Pushington's rather hard up, poor old fellow, so the other day I bought his house in Giosvenor Square, and he has moved into a smaller one in Park Lane. He's coming down to stay with me the day after to-morrow, and I want you and your daughters bo give mo the pleasure of your company at dinner the night of his arlival.' ''Me and my daughters, Mr Denver 1 Do you know how many of them bhere are? 1 ' Oh, no matter ! The more the merrier. I w ant you all to come, and Miss Dulcie here into the bargain.' 'Really, Mr Denver,' protested Mr 3 Shepperton, ' it is very kind your thinking 1 of Dulcie, but; she is too young to make her debut in society. She must wait for the country balls at Christmas. 1 ' Ib can'b do any harm letting her break through the ice jusb for once,' urged MiDenver, like all men becoming doubly urgent in face of opposition. ' S*o, Mrs Shepperbon, you must be gfood-natured, and not disappoint me by saying no.' She pub his persistence down to some sudden whim. That Dulcie had found favour in his eyes scarcely entered into her calculations, her thoughts being preoccupied by' Ethel. Nevertheless, this prompt invitation to dinner pub her in soraewhab of a dilemma. She had no objection whatever to receiving Mr Denver in her own house — on the contrary, she was delighted to do so — but when ib came to a question of dining with him she felt she would have prefered waiting a little, just to see what attitude the county people were likely to assume towards the returned prodigal. Mr Denver apparently made a pretty shrewd guess at the thoughts passing through Mr 3 Shepperton's mind, for he added, with assumed carelessness : 'Of course, upon such short notice, you must not expect a large party to meet you. The clergyman and his wife — Mr and Mrs Smith — have promised to come, and I intend asking the Morningtons. They, with LordPushineton and Sir Berkeley Hilltown, who was good enough bo say he would drive over and sleep the night, constitute the lot. : Mrs Shepperton's counbenancebrigrhtened perceptibly ; for Sir Berkeley Hilltown's presence settled herdifficulties conclusively. If he, a baronet and a territorial magnate, accepted an invitation to dine at Mr Denver's house, why, she could surely do so also, without anybody casting stones at her in consequence. Sho cleared her throat, and said graciously, ' Ahem-! Mr Denver, you are very kind very kind indeed — and if you really wish it, and don't mind our being all ladies, we shall be delighted to avail ourselves of your hospitality.' Of course Mr Denver wished it. .He could get gentlemen by the s.core to parbake of his fine wines and Frenclj-qookecl

dinners ; but ladies were not so easily obtained. Pushington was notorious for likinc good-looking girls to talic to and flirt with, and, by dinfc of a very little clever management the fact of the whole four young ladies belonging to one family might be concealed. So reflected Mr Denver as he stealthily sucked the knob of his gold-headed cane", with his undcrlip inflated out of all natural proportions, and the upper moiety of his features wearing an intensely inano expression. At last he rose, satisfied and self-compla-cent as usual, to take his leave. * What a pleasant and agreeable man to ba sure !' exclaimed Mrs Shepperton, ecstatically, directly they found themselves alone. * Such mannirs, and such conversation ! they are quite those of a person who has moved in the very highest circles.' 'Are they?" f-aid Dulcu\ indilierently. * I know nothing about the highest circle?/ * M ore's the pit)*, child. I hope you noticed what quantities of good people — really first-class people— he appeared intimate with.' ' Oh, yes, mamma, I noticed it. In fact; it was impossible to help noticing it, judging from the manner in which their names were introduced. It struck me as curious, however, that all Mr Denver's fi iends should have been such exalted personages. There surely were a few commoners amongst them? Why, it was il Duc-i di Santo Gloria, the Marchesa Kichettino, la Contessa Colpetti, and Lmd Pushington this and Lord Pushington that, until I declare it became quite wearisome.' ' Dear me ! Dulcie, you don't seem to have the slightest appreciation for grandeur and great people. ' ' On the contrary, I admire great people intensely. Only I can see nothing great in being born with a golden spoon in one's mouth.' 'You are a perfect barbarian,' sighed Mrs Shepperton, in despair ; • you may laugh if you like, but I know better than to do so ; and to my mind a man like Mr Denver makes one sadly feel one's own insignificance. It really seems a downright shame being stuck down in a little dull, country village, where people have no ideas beyond their servants, crops and babies, when such glorious social advantages are to be reaped elsewhere. It is a positive waste of life.' ' Don't you think, mamma, these social advantages are at best somewhat hollow ?' 1 Tush, child ! You're quite incorrigible, and I only wish Ethel had been at home in your place. It was a terrible pity her being out.' ' Yes, indeed,' assented Dulcie. ' The conversation would have suited her exactly.' 'Still,' remarked Mrs Shepperton, consolingly, 'we are all asked to dinner on Friday night, and Ethel will then have a chance of making up for lost opportunities. But dear me, child ! what on earth are you to w ear ? You've got nothing but that old white muslin you were confirmed in two years ago, which barely comes down to your ankles. I really must go this j minute and see if something can't be contrived between now and Friday, to make you look decent, and prevent your bringing discredit upon the whole family.' 'I'm afraid I shall do that under any circumstances,' sighed Dulcie, with a melancholy sense of her own shortcomings, as her mother flounced out of tho room in a high state of excitement. Whereupon she remembered how Bob, all this time, was patiently awaiting her arrival in the school-room, and also rushed upstairs. She found him still seated in the armchair, though he had laid aside his book, and was whiling away the minutes by playing with Nipper. ' Here latnat last !' shecried, impetuously. ' I thought he was never going, and, oh! Bob, I tried to be civil after what jou said, but it was impossible. He's the most insufferable snob I ever saw in my life.' ' H'm ! And what did your mother say, Dulcie ?' 'Mamma wa? perfectly charmed, but, between you and me and the post, I don't believe Mr Denver knows halt the fine folk he pretends to. It's just talk. By-the-by, lie has asked us all to a dinner-party on Friday night, and said he intended inviting the Morningtons.' 1 Hooray ! then it's just possible I may have the good luck to get an invitation. What's <he betting against my going, Dulcie ?' ' A great deal, I fancy. Anyhow, you may make your mind easy on one point.' ' What's that ?' 5 Why, you won't be pub to sit next me, even if you are asked.' ' I hope to goodness 1 shan't be left out in the cold,' said Bob, somewhat gloomily. ' I suppose there's no chance of seeing you to-morrow ? By-the-way, Dulcie, don't you think you could slip out aboub foui o'clock ? The days seem so awfully long when one has to spend them all alone.' DrOcie hesitated. She would have liked to comply with his request, but she had not yet recovered from yesterday's adventure, and virtue ruled triumphant. ' No, Bob.' shaking her head, ' I couldn't possibly, so please don't ask me.' 4 Am I not to see you, then, again before Friday ? What if I don't get invited V She meditated. Then she looked up with a bright smile illumining her countenance : ' If you're not asked, Bob, I shan't take a bit of trouble to make myself look nice ; I shan't care what I wear, or how great a dowdy I am ; and what's more, if Mr Denver bothers me with any of his nonsensical speeches, I'll ' (looking very tierce), ' why — I'il give him a bib of my mind, that's all !' Bob laughed as he listened to this formidable threat. * Good-night, Dulcie,' he said. « I must be ofT, for, by Jove ! it's close upon seven o'clock. We shall meet, I hope, on Friday ; until then take care of yourself and make haste and get well. Come along, Nipper, old boy !' whistling to the dog. 'Bob,' she said, with a wistful look in her dark eye 3, ' you won'L forget what you promised ?' 1 No, Dulcie. I won't forget. I shan't go to Ameiica unless you approve.' Whereupon he took his leave. {To be continued.)