Barnes asked his uncle to dinner once or twice, but
the Colonel was engaged. How was Barnes to know the reason of the elder's
refusal? A London man, a banker, and a Member of Parliament, has a
thousand things to think of; and no time to wonder that friends refuse
his invitations to dinner. Barnes continued to grin and smile most
affectionately when he met the Colonel; to press his hand, to
congratulate him on the last accounts from India, unconscious of the
scorn and distrust with which his senior mentally regarded him. "Old boy
is doubtful about the young cub's love-affair," the Baronet may have
thought. "We'll ease his old mind on that point some time hence." No
doubt Barnes thought he was conducting the business very smartly and
diplomatically.
I heard myself news at this period from the gallant Crackthorpe, which,
being interested in my young friend's happiness, filled me with some
dismay. "Our friend the painter and glazier has been hankering about our
barracks at Knightsbridge" (the noble Life Guards Green had now pitched
their tents in that suburb), "and pumping me about la belle cousin.
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