‘Isn’t it odd papa wanting to have Lady Mabel,’ Mary said to Lady Cantrip.

‘Does he not know her, my dear?’

’He hardly ever spoke to her.  I’ll tell you what; I expect Silverbridge is going to marry her.’

‘Why shouldn’t he?’

’I don’t know why he shouldn’t.  She is very beautiful, and very clever.  But if so, papa must know all about it.  It does seem odd that papa of all people should turn match-maker, or even that he should think of it.’

‘So much is thrown upon him now,’ said Lady Cantrip.

Lady Mabel was surprised by the invitation, but she was not slow to accept it.  ‘Papa will be here and will be so glad to meet you.’  Lady Mary had said.  Why should the Duke of Omnium wish to meet her?  ‘Silverbridge will be there too.’  Mary had gone on to say.  ’It is just a family party.  Papa, you know, is not going anywhere; nor am I.’  By all this Lady Mabel’s thoughts were much stirred, and her bosom somewhat moved.  And Silverbridge was also moved by it.  Of course he could not but remember that he had pledged himself to his father to ask Lady Mabel to be his wife.  He had faltered since.  She had been, he thought, unkind to him, or at any rate indifferent.  He had surely said enough to her to make her know what he meant; and yet she had taken no trouble to meet him half way.  And then Isabel Boncassen had intervened.  Now he was asked to dinner in a most unusual manner!

Of all the guests invited Lord Popplecourt was perhaps the least disturbed.  He was quite alive to the honour of being noticed by the Duke of Omnium, and alive also to the flattering courtesy shown to him by Lady Cantrip.  But justice would not be done him unless it were acknowledged that he had as yet flattered himself with no hopes in regard to Lady Mary Palliser.  He, when he prepared himself for his journey down to Richmond, thought much more of the Duke than of the Duke’s daughter.

‘Oh yes, I can drive you down if you like that kind of thing,’ Silverbridge said to him on the Saturday evening.

‘And bring me back?’

‘If you will come when I am coming.  I hate waiting for a fellow.’

‘Suppose we leave at half-past ten.’

’I won’t fix any time; but if we can’t make it suit there’ll be the governor’s carriage.’

‘Will the Duke go down in his own carriage?’

‘I suppose so. it’s quicker and less trouble than the railway.’  Then Lord Popplecourt reflected that he would certainly come back with the Duke if he could so manage it, and there floated before his eyes visions of under-secretaryships, all which might own their origin to this proposed drive from Richmond.

At six o’clock on the Sunday evening Silverbridge called for Lord Popplecourt.  ‘Upon my word,’ said he, ’I didn’t ever expect to see you in my cab.’

‘Why not me especially?’

‘Because you’re not one of our lot.’

‘You’d sooner have Tifto.’