"Or his vote is promised for the war supply," said the London man.
"_Carita, carita_!" said Vaura, laughingly, and turning to the London
man, "You forget the party motto, 'no bribery,' Mr. Howard, and if you
all lend an ear, I shall tell you that instead of a peerage, our
friend, as far as I know, is plain Capt. Trevalyon."
"Heresy, Miss Vernon, for he is not 'plain,' and you women will have
it that he is a peer in our age."
"A peerless way of putting it, Mr. Howard," laughed Vaura.
"Luncheon is served, my lady," said the butler.
"Somebody take in everybody," said the Duchess. "We always go to
luncheon _sans ceremonie_."
And so fate willed Signor Castenelli (the young Italian who had
accompanied them to the landau) to Vaura. The table was gay with
Sevres china and _majolica_ ware, but the viands were poor and scanty,
and the victuals few and far between. One man of healthy appetite
could easily have laid bare dishes that had been prepared for seven,
when five morning callers having been invited to remain, so lessened
the _morceau_ for each guest.
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