The time came for him to knock at doors and face his public.

CHAPTER XXVIII

BY CONCESSIONS TO MISTRESS GOSSIP A FURTHER INTRUSION IS AVERTED

Livia welcomed him, with commiserating inquiry behind her languid eyelids.  ‘You have all the latest?’ it said.

He struck on the burning matter.

‘You wish to know the part you have to play, ma’am.’  ‘Tell me, Russett.’

‘You will contradict nothing.’

Her eyebrows asked, ‘It means?’

‘You have authority from me to admit the facts.’

‘They are facts?’ she remarked.

’Women love teasing round certain facts, apparently; like the Law courts over their pet cases.’

‘But, Russett, will you listen?’

‘Has the luck been civil of late?’

‘I think of something else at present.  No, it has not.’

‘Abrane?’

‘Pray, attend to me.  No, not Abrane.’

‘I believe you’ve all been cleared out in my absence.  St. Ombre?’

Her complexion varied.  ’Mr. Ambrose Mallard has once or twice . . .  But let me beg you—­the town is rageing with it.  My dear Russett, a bold front now; there ‘s the chance of your release in view.’

‘A rascal in view!  Name the sum.’

‘I must reckon.  My head is—­can you intend to submit?’

’So it’s Brosey Mallard now.  You choose your deputy queerly.  He’s as bad as Abrane, with steam to it.  Chummy Potts would have done better.’

’He wins one night; loses every pound-note he has the next; and comes vaunting—­the “dry still Sillery” of the establishment,—­a perpetual chorus to his losses!’

’His consolation to you for yours.  That is the gentleman.  Chummy doesn’t change.  Say, why not St. Ombre?  He’s cool.’

‘There are reasons.’

‘Let them rest.  And I have my reasons.  Do the same for them.’

‘Yours concern the honour of the family.’

‘Deeply:  respect them.’

’Your relatives have to be thought of, though they are few and not too pleasant.’

’If I had thought much of them, what would our relations be?  They object to dicing, and I to leading strings.’

She turned to a brighter subject, of no visible connection with the preceding.

‘Henrietta comes in May.’

‘The month of her colours.’

‘Her money troubles are terrible.’

’Both of you appear unlucky in your partners,—­if winning was the object.  She shall have all the distractions we can offer.’

‘Your visit to the Chartreuse alarmed her.’

‘She has rejoiced her husband.’

‘A girl.  She feared the Jesuit in your friend.’

‘Feltre and she are about equally affected by music.  They shall meet.’

’Russett, this once:  I do entreat you to take counsel with your good sense, and remember that you stand where you are by going against my advice.  It is a perfect storm over London.  The world has not to be informed of your generosity; but a chivalry that invites the most horrible of sneers at a man!  And what can I say?  I have said it was impossible.’