'Quite well, my lord, please your lordship; and very glad to see your
lordship again, and looking so well too.'
'Ah! Mistress Pauncefort, you always flattered me!'
'Oh! dear, my lord, your lordship, no,' said Mistress Pauncefort, with
a simper.
'But you, Pauncefort,' said Cadurcis, 'why there must be some magic in
the air here. I have been complimenting your lady and Miss Venetia;
but really, you, I should almost have thought it was some younger
sister.'
'Oh! my lord, you have such a way,' said Mistress Pauncefort,
retreating with a slow step that still lingered for a remark.
'Pauncefort, is that an Italian cap?' said Lord Cadurcis; 'you know,
Pauncefort, you were always famous for your caps.'
Mistress Pauncefort disappeared in a fluster of delight.
And now they had indeed departed. There was a pause of complete
silence after they had disappeared, the slight and not painful
reaction after the mirthful excitement of the last few hours. At
length Herbert, dropping, as was his evening custom, a few drops of
orange-flower into a tumbler of water, said, 'Annabel, my love, I am
rather surprised that neither you nor Venetia should have mentioned to
me that you knew, and knew so intimately, a man like Lord Cadurcis.'
Lady Annabel appeared a little confused; she looked even at Venetia,
but Venetia's eyes were on the ground.
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