After calling thrice and writing to Miss Newcome, there came a little
note from that young lady, saying, "Dear Clive,--We were so sorry we were
out when you called. We shall be at home to-morrow at lunch, when Lady
Kew hopes you will come, and see yours ever, E. N."
Clive went--poor Clive! He had the satisfaction of shaking Ethel's hand
and a finger of Lady Kew; of eating a mutton-chop in Ethel's presence; of
conversing about the state of art at Rome with Lady Kew, and describing
the last works of Gibson and Macdonald. The visit lasted but for half an
hour. Not for one minute was Clive allowed to see Ethel alone. At three
o'clock Lady Kew's carriage was announced, and our young gentleman rose
to take his leave, and had the pleasure of seeing the most noble Peer,
Marquis of Farintosh and Earl of Rossmont, descend from his lordship's
brougham and enter at Lady Kew's door, followed by a domestic bearing a
small stack of flowers from Covent Garden.
It befell that the good-natured Lady Fareham had a ball in these days;
and meeting Clive in the Park, her lord invited him to the entertainment.
Pages:
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004