Poor Lord Algy. He certainly thought there could be no question about Marcia's affection for him. He little dreamed that it was to his title and position she had become so deeply attached,--he could not guess that after he had married her there would be no more Lord Masherville worth mentioning--that that individual, once independent, would be entirely swallowed up and lost in the dashing personality of Lady Masherville, who would rule her husband as with a rod of iron.
He was happily ignorant of his future, and he walked in the gardens for some time with his arm round Marcia's waist, in a very placid and romantic frame of mind. By-and-by he escorted her into the house, where the dancing was in full swing--and she, with a sweet smile, bidding him wait for her in the refreshment-room, sought for and found her mother, who as usual, was seated in a quiet corner with Mrs. Rush-Marvelle, talking scandal.
"Well?" exclaimed these two ladies, simultaneously and breathlessly.
Marcia's eyes twinkled. "Guess he came in as gently as a lamb!" she said.
They understood her. Mrs. Rush-Marvelle rose from her chair in her usual stately and expensive manner.
"I congratulate you, my dear!" kissing Marcia affectionately on both cheeks. "Bruce Errington would have been a better match,--but, under the circumstances, Masherville is really about the best thing you could do. You'll find him quite easy to manage!" This with an air as though she were recommending a quiet pony.
"That's so!" said Marcia carelessly, "I guess we'll pull together somehow. Mar-ma," to her mother--"yew kin turn on the news to all the folks yew meet--the more talk the better! I'm not partial to secrets!" And with a laugh, she turned away.
Then Mrs. Van Clupp laid her plump, diamond-ringed hand on that of her dear friend, Mrs. Marvelle.
"You have managed the whole thing beautifully," she said, with a grateful heave of her ample bosom. "Such a clever creature as you are!" She dropped her voice to a mysterious whisper. "You shall have that cheque to-morrow, my love!"
Mrs. Rush-Marvelle pressed her fingers cordially.
"Don't hurry yourself about it!"--she returned in the same confidential tone. "I dare say you'll want me to arrange the wedding and the 'crush' afterwards. I can wait till then."
"No, no! that's a separate affair," declared Mrs. Van Clupp. "I must insist on your taking the promised two hundred. You've been really so very energetic!"