‘It’s that d——­ fellow, Silverbridge,’ he exclaimed almost angrily.  On hearing this Miss Boncassen left the room without speaking another word, and Dolly Longstaff found himself alone.  He saw what he had done as soon as she was gone.  After that he could hardly venture to persevere again—­here at Custins.  He weighed it over in his mind for a long time, almost coming to a resolution in favour of hard drink.  He had never felt anything like this before.  He was so uncomfortable that he couldn’t eat his luncheon, though in accordance with his usual habit he had breakfasted off soda-and-brandy and a morsel of devilled toast.  He did not know himself in his changed character.  ’I wonder whether she understands that I have four thousand pounds a year of my own, and shall have twelve thousand pounds more when my governor goes!  She was so headstrong that it was impossible to explain anything to her.’

‘I’m off to London,’ he said to Popplecourt that afternoon.

‘Nonsense!  You said you’d stay for ten days.’

’All the same, I’m going at once.  I’ve sent to Bridport for a trap, and I shall sleep tonight at Dorchester.’

‘What’s the meaning of it all?’

‘I’ve had some words with somebody.  Don’t mind asking any more.’

‘Not with the Duke?’

‘The Duke?  No; I haven’t spoken to him.’

‘Or Lord Cantrip?’

‘I wish you wouldn’t ask questions.’

‘If you’ve quarrelled with anybody you ought to consult a friend.’

‘It’s nothing of that kind.’

‘Then it’s a lady.  It’s the American girl!’

’Don’t I tell you.  I don’t want to talk about it?  I’m going.  I’ve told Lady Cantrip that my mother wasn’t well and wants to see me.  You’ll stop your time out, I suppose?’

‘I don’t know.’

’You’ve got it all square, no doubt.  I wish I’d a handle to my name.  I never cared for it before.’

’I’m sorry you’re so down in the mouth.  Why don’t you try again?  The thing is to stick to ’em like wax.  If ten times of asking won’t do, go in twenty times.’

Dolly shook his head despondently.  ’What can you do when a girl walks out of a room and slams the door in your face?  She’ll get it hot and heavy before she’s done.  I know what she’s after.  She might as well cry for the moon.’  And so Dolly got into the trap and went to Bridport and slept the night at the hotel at Dorchester.

Lord Popplecourt, though he could give such excellent advice to his friend, had been able as yet to do very little in his own case.  He had been a week at Custins, and had said not a word to denote his passion.  Day after day he had prepared himself for the encounter, but the lady had never given him the opportunity.  When he sat next to her at dinner she would be very silent.  If he stayed at home on a morning she was not visible.  During the short evenings he could never get her attention.  And he made no progress with the Duke.  The Duke had been very courteous to him at Richmond, but here he was monosyllabic and almost sullen.