e
really liked us; and we talked of the weather, and the shameful
stoppages of the train we had come by, and the general inconveniences
of railways; and presently more ladies came down, neat and crisp as if
turned out of a bandbox, followed by their lords in choking white
neckcloths; and then Sir Guy himself appeared in a costume of
surpassing splendour; but still, although in his evening dress,
brilliant with starch and polish and buttons and jewellery, looking
like a coachman in masquerade; and "dinner" was announced, and we all
paired off with the utmost ceremony, and I found myself seated between
Frank Lovell and dear old Mr. Lumley, and opposite the elder Miss
Molasses, who scowled at me with an asperity of which I should have
believed her unmeaning face incapable, as if she hated me on this
particular evening more than all the other days of the year. I soon
discovered the cause. Frank was more attentive to me than I had ever
known him, although there was a _something_ in his manner that I did
not altogether like, a sort of freedom that I had never remarked
before, and which made me colder and more reserved than usual. It was
evident he thought he might venture as far as he liked with a young
lady who drove four horses and smoked a cigar the while. I felt I was
blushing _under my skin_; but I was determined to brave it all out, to
hide from every living soul my own vexation and self-contempt. Once I
caught a telegraphic signal exchanged between my neighbour and Miss
Molasses, after which she seemed more at ease, and went on with her
dinner in comfort. I was so angry now that I turned my shoulder
towards Master Frank, and took refuge with my dear old friend Mr.
Lumley, who, utterly regardless of the noise and flirtation his better
half was carrying on at the other end of the table, discussed his
cutlet quite contentedly, and prosed away to me in his usual kind,
consolatory manner. I was one of his great favourites; in fact, he
told me so, then and there. He always called me "my dear," and often
vowed that if he had only the use of his legs he would walk to the end
of the world to make me a thoroughgoing naturalist like himself. I was
getting more at ease under his dear old wing. I had gone through so
much excitement during the day that this comparative inaction was a
positive relief, and I was really beginning to enjoy a sort of repose,
when the Baronet's horrid voice from the bottom of the table aroused
me once mor