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The fan stopped its swaying for a moment.
"Ah!" said Richard.
"Do you know him?" she inquired eagerly.
"Many years ago, madam, I was--acquainted with him. Can you tell me--washe in good spirits when last you saw him?"
She pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"If you mean was he gay, was he witty--yes. But sometimes I thought--Mr.Carstares, when he was silent, his eyes were so sad--! Indeed, I do notknow why I tell you this."
"You may be sure, madam, your confidence is safe with me. I had--a greatregard for this gentleman." He opened and shut her fan as he spoke,fidgeting with the slender sticks. "You, too, were interested in him,madam?"
"I do not think ever anyone knew him and was not, sir. It was somethingin his manner, his personality--I cannot explain--that endeared him toone. And he once--aided me--when I was in difficulties."
Richard, remembering scraps of gossip concerning the widow's past,merely bowed his head.
She was silent for a time, staring down at her hands, but presently shelooked up smiling, and took her fan away from him.
"I cannot abide a fidget, sir!" she told him. "And I see LordFotheringham approaching. I
am promised to him this dance." She rose,but Richard detained her.
"Mrs. Fanshawe, will you permit me to call upon you? I would hear moreof--your friend. You, mayhap, think it strange--but--"
"No," she answered. "I do not. Certainly call upon me, sir. I lodge inMount Street with my sister--No. 16."
"I protest, madam, you are too good--"
"Again, no. I have told you, I like a man to talk as a man and not as anaffected woman. I shall be pleased to welcome you."
She curtsied and went away on the Viscount's arm.
At the same moment a voice at Richard's elbow drawled:
"Do I see you at the vivacious widow's feet, my good Dick?"
Carstares turned to face his brother-in-law, Colonel Belmanoir.
"Is not all London?" he smiled.
"Oh, no! Not since the beautiful Gunnings' arrival. But I admit she is adainty piece. And Lavinia? Will she break her heart, I wonder?" Helaughed beneath his breath as he saw Richard's eyes flash.
"I trust not," replied Carstares. "Are you all here to-night?"
"Our illustrious head is absent, I believe. Andrew is flirting with theFletcher girl in the Blue Salon I am here, and Lavinia is amusingherself with Lovelace. Yes, Richard, Lovelace! Be careful!" With anothersneering laugh he walked on, bowing to Elizabeth Gunning, who passed byon the arm of her partner, his Grace of Hamilton, most palpably _epris_.
At that moment two late-comers entered the room and made their waytowards their hostess, who appeared delighted to see them, especiallythe taller of the two, whose hand she slapped with good-humouredraillery. The shorter gentleman wore no mask, and the Colonel recognisedFrank Fortescue. His eyes travelled to the other, who, unlike most ofthe men who only held their masks, had fastened his across his eyes, andthey widened in surprise. The purple domino, worn carelessly open,revealed black satin encrusted with silver and diamonds. The naturalhair was raven-black, the nostrils were pinched and the lips thin.
"The Devil!" ejaculated Robert, and strolled over to him.
Fortescue walked away when he saw who approached, and his Grace ofAndover turned slowly towards his brother.
"I rather thought you were in Paris," yawned the colonel.
"I am always sorry to disillusion you," bowed his Grace.
"Not at all; I am transported with joy at seeing you. As is Lavinia, itappears."
