is a thing I should abhor it would be to be shaken up.  “Come and dine with us at seven-thirty in costume, and I’ll promise you a delightful time.  And think how proud the girls would be of showing off their beau cousin.” Et patiti et patita. I am again reminded that I owe it to my position, my title.  God ha’ mercy on us!  To bedeck myself like a decayed mummer in a booth and frisk about in a pestilential atmosphere with a crowd of strange and uninteresting young females is the correct way of fulfilling the obligations that the sovereign laid upon the successors to the title, when he conferred the dignity of a baronetcy on my great-grandfather!  Now I come to think of it the Prince Regent was that sovereign, and my ancestor did things for him at Brighton.  Perhaps after all there is a savage irony of truth in Aunt Jessica’s suggestion!

And a beau cousin should I be indeed.  What does she think I would go as?  A mousquetaire? or a troubadour in blue satin trunks and cloak, white silk tights and shoes and a Grecian helmet, like Mr. Snodgrass at Mrs. Leo Hunter’s fete champetre?

I wish I could fathom Aunt Jessica’s reasons for her attempts at involving me in her social mountebankery.  If the girls get no better dance-partners than me, heaven help them!

Only a fortnight ago I drove with them to Hurlingham.  My aunt and Gwendolen disappeared in an unaccountable manner with another man, leaving me under an umbrella tent to take charge of Dora.  I had an hour and a half of undiluted Dora.  The dose was too strong, and it made my head ache.  I think I prefer neat Carlotta.

CHAPTER IX

July 5th

I lunched at home, and read drowsily before the open window till four o’clock.  Then the splendour of the day invited me forth.  Whither should I go?  I thought of Judith and Hampstead Heath; I also thought of Carlotta and Hyde Park.  The sound of the lions roaring for their afternoon tea reached me through the still air, and I put from me a strong temptation to wander alone and meditative in the Zoological Gardens close by.  I must not forget, I reflected, that I am responsible for Carlotta’s education, whereas I am in no wise responsible for the animals or for Judith.  If Judith and I had claims one on the other, the entire charm of our relationship would be broken.

I resolved to take Carlotta to the park, in order to improve her mind.  She would see how well-bred Englishwomen comport themselves externally.  It would be a lesson in decorum.