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"No. I had some business with my lawyer. I suppose you did not stumbleacross my poor brother?"
"Frank? I did not--but why the 'poor'?"
Fortescue shrugged slightly.
"I think the lad is demented," he said. "He was to have made one ofMarch's supper-party last night, but at four o'clock received acommunication from heaven knows whom which threw him into a state ofunrest. What must he do but hurry off without a word of explanation.Since then I have not set eyes on him, but his man tells me he went tomeet a friend. Damned unusual of him is all I have to say."
"Very strange. Do you expect to see him to-night?"
"I should hope so! My dear Carstares, who is the man walking by yourlady's chair?"
"Markham?"
"The other."
"Lovelace."
"Lovelace? And who the devil is he?"
"I cannot tell you--beyond a captain in the Guards."
"That even is news to me. I saw him at Goosetree's the other night, andwondered. Somewhat of a rake-hell, I surmise."
"I daresay. I do not like him."
They were entering the gates of Devonshire House now, and had to partcompany, for the crush was so great that it was almost impossible tokeep together. Carstares stayed by Lavinia's chair, and the other menmelted away into the crowd. Chairs jostled one another in the effort toget to the door, town coaches rolled up, and having let down their fairburdens, passed out again slowly, pushing through the throng.
When the Carstares' chair at last drew near the house, it was quite aquarter of an hour later. The ball-room was already full and a blaze ofriotous colour. Lavinia was almost immediately borne off by aninfatuated youth for whom she cherished a motherly affection that wouldhave caused the unfortunate to tear his elegant locks, had he known it.
Richard distinguished Lord Andrew Belmanoir, one of a group of bucksgathered about the newest beauty, Miss Gunning, who, with her sisterElizabeth, had taken fashionable London by storm. Andrew wore a mask,but he was quite unmistakable by his length of limb and carelesslyrakish appearance.
Wilding, across the room, beckoned to Richard, and on his approach,dragged him to the card-room to play at lansquenet with March, Selwynand himself.
Carstares found the Earl in great good-humour, due, so Selwyn remarked,to the finding of an opera singer even more lovely than the last. Fromlansquenet they very soon passed to dice and betting, with others whostrolled up to the table. Then Carstares excused himself and went backto the ball-room. He presently found himself by the side of one IsabellaFanshawe, a sprightly widow, greatly famed for her wittiness and goodlooks. Carstares had met her but once before, and was now rathersurprised that she motioned him to her side, patting the couch with aninviting, much be-ringed hand.
"Come and sit by me, Mr. Carstares. I have wanted to speak with you thislong time." She lowered her mask as she spoke and closely scrutinisedhis face with her bright, humorous eyes.
"Why, madam, I am flattered," bowed Richard.
She cut him short.
"I am not in the mood for compliments, sir. Nor am I desirous of makingor hearing clever speeches. You are worrying me."
Richard sat down, intrigued and attracted by this downright littlewoman.
"I, madam?"
"You, sir. That is, your face worries me." Seeing his surprise, shelaughed, fanning herself. "'Tis comely enough, I grant you! I mean thereis such a strong likeness to--a friend of mine."
Richard smiled politely and relieved her of the fan.
"Indeed, madam?"
"Yes. I knew--this other gentleman in Vienna, three years ago. I shouldjudge him younger than you, I think. His eyes were blue, but verysimilar to yours. His nose was almost identical with yours, but themouth--n-no. Yet the whole expression--" She broke off, noticing hercompanion's sudden pallor. "But you are unwell, sir?"
"No, madam, no! What was your friend's name?"
"Ferndale," she answered. "Anthony Ferndale."
