“Errington was born with a silver spoon in his mouth,” returned Ormonde.  “Garston dwarfs Castleford, I can tell you.  It was a good deal out of repair—­the Hall I mean?”

“It is.  We do not expect to get it into thorough repair till winter.  Then I hope, Mrs. Burnett, you will honor us by a visit,” said Errington.

“With the greatest pleasure,” exclaimed the hostess.

“And oh, Mr. Errington, do give a ball!” cried Fanny, the second daughter.

“I fear that is beyond my powers.  I do not think I ever danced in my life.”

“Are you to be of the party on board Lord Melford’s yacht?” asked Ormonde, speaking to Lady Alice.

“Oh no.  I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer.”

“Ah, that is too bad.  You’d like sailing about, I dare say?”

“Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world,” cried Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite.  “If I were you I should coax my father to let me go.”

“Papa knows best.  I am very fond of the Rectory,” said Lady Alice, blushing at being so publicly addressed.

“And you understand the beauty of obedience,” said Errington, with grave approval.

“Now, if you intend to see the whole ‘fun of the fair,’” said Mrs. Burnett, “you had better be going, young people.  The carriage is to come back for us after setting you down at the theatre.  Who are going?  My girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell?  Who is to be their escort?  Colonel Ormonde?”

He glanced across the table.  Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.

“No, thank you.  To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean’s this afternoon.”

“I have an engagement, a business engagement at three,” said Errington; “but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home.”

“You need not take that trouble,” said Mrs. Burnett.  “My son will be in the theatre later, and take charge of them; but there is still a place in the box.  Will you go, Mr. Kirby?”

“Oh, pray do!” cried Mrs. Liddell.  “You will be sure to be amused; a matinee of this kind is great fun.  There is singing and dancing and acting and recitations of all kinds.”  She spoke in her liveliest manner and her sweetest tones.

“You are very good.  I have not been in a theatre since I arrived; so if you really have a place for me, I shall be most happy to accompany you.”

“That’s settled.  Go and put on your hats, my dears,” said Mrs. Burnett; and her daughters, with Lady Alice, left the room.

“Well, Mrs. Liddell, have you persuaded your handsome sister-in-law to join our party on Thursday?” asked Ormonde.

“I have really had no time to speak much to her.  An old uncle of hers, as rich as a Jew and a perfect miser, sent his lawyer for her this morning.  I suppose he is going to make her his heiress.  I hope they will give a share to my poor little boys.  I am going to take them to ask a blessing from their aged relative, I assure you.”