FullReads

LADY K.–There is a time for all things, my dear. This man is very convenient to Horace. Mr. Milliken is exceedingly lazy, and Howell spares him a great deal of trouble. Some day or other I shall take all this domestic trouble off his hands. But not yet: your poor brother-in-law is restive, like many weak men. He is subjected to other influences: his odious mother thwarts me a great deal.

K.–Why, you used to be the dearest friends in the world. I recollect when I was at Eton–

LADY K.–Were; but friendship don’t last for ever. Mrs. Bonnington and I have had serious differences since I came to live here: she has a natural jealousy, perhaps, at my superintending her son’s affairs. When she ceases to visit at the house, as she very possibly will, things will go more easily; and Mr. Howell will go too, you may depend upon it. I am always sorry when my temper breaks out, as it will sometimes.

K.–Won’t it, that’s all!

LADY K.–At his insolence, my temper is high; so is yours, my dear. Calm it for the present, especially as regards Howell.

K.–Gad! d’you know I was very nearly pitching into him? But once, one night in the Haymarket, at a lobster-shop, where I was with some fellows, we chaffed some other fellows, and there was one fellah–quite a little fellah–and I pitched into him, and he gave me the most confounded lickin’ I ever had in my life, since my brother Kicklebury licked me when we were at Eton; and that, you see, was a lesson to me, ma’am. Never trust those little fellows, never chaff ’em: dammy, they may be boxers.

LADY K.–You quarrelsome boy! I remember you coming home with your naughty head SO bruised. [Looks at watch.] I must go now to take my drive. [Exit LADY K.]

K.–I owe a doose of a tick at that billiard-room; I shall have that boatman dunnin’ me. Why hasn’t Milliken got any horses to ride? Hang him! suppose he can’t ride–suppose he’s a tailor. He ain’t MY tailor, though, though I owe him a doosid deal of money. There goes mamma with that darling nephew and niece of mine. [Enter BULKELEY]. Why haven’t you gone with my lady, you, sir? [to Bulkeley.]

BULKELEY.–My lady have a-took the pony-carriage, sir; Mrs. Bonnington have a-took the hopen carriage and ‘orses, sir, this mornin’, which the Bishop of London is ‘olding a confirmation at Teddington, sir, and Mr. Bonnington is attending the serimony. And I have told Mr. ‘Owell, sir, that my lady would prefer the hopen carriage, sir, which I like the hexercise myself, sir, and that the pony-carriage was good enough for Mrs. Bonnington, sir; and Mr. ‘Owell was very hinsolent to me, sir; and I don’t think I can stay in the ‘ouse with him.

K.–Hold your jaw, sir.

BULKELEY.–Yes, sir. [Exit BULKELEY.]

K.–I wonder who that governess is?–sang rather prettily last night–wish she’d come and sing now–wish she’d come and amuse me–I’ve seen her face before–where have I seen her face?–it ain’t at all a bad one. What shall I do? dammy, I’ll read a book: I’ve not read a book this ever so long. What’s here? [looks amongst books, selects one, sinks down in easy-chair so as quite to be lost.]

Enter Miss PRIOR.

MISS PRIOR.–There’s peace in the house! those noisy children are away with their grandmamma. The weather is beautiful, and I hope they will take a long drive. Now I can have a quiet half-hour, and finish that dear pretty “Ruth”–oh, how it makes me cry, that pretty story. [Lays down her bonnet on table–goes to glass–takes off cap and spectacles–arranges her hair–Clarence has got on chair looking at her.]

K.–By Jove! I know who it is now! Remember her as well as possible. Four years ago, when little Foxbury used to dance in the ballet over the water. DON’T I remember her! She boxed my ears behind the scenes, by jingo. [Coming forward]. Miss Pemberton! Star of the ballet! Light of the harem! Don’t you remember the grand Oriental ballet of the “Bulbul and the Peri?”