On the Tuesday following Mrs. Hoskyn's reception, Lucian Webber
called at his cousin's house in Regent's Park, and said, in the
course of a conversation with the two ladies there, "The Colonial Office has had an idea. The king, it appears, is
something of an athlete, and is curious to witness what Londoners
can do in that way. So a grand assault-at-arms is to be held for
him."
"What is an assault-at-arms?" said Lydia. "I have never been at one;
and the name suggests nothing but an affray with bayonets."
"It is an exhibition of swordsmanship, military drill, gymnastics,
and so forth."
"I will go to that," said Lydia. "Will you come, Alice?"
"Is it usual for ladies to go to such exhibitions?" said Alice,
cautiously.
"On this occasion ladies will go for the sake of seeing the king,"
said Lucian. "The Olympian gymnastic society, which has undertaken
the direction of the part of the assault that is to show off the
prowess of our civilians, expects what they call a flower-show
audience."
"Will you come, Lucian?"
"If I can be spared, yes. If not, I will ask Worthington to go with
you. He understands such matters better than I."
"Then let us have him, by all means," said Lydia.
"I cannot see why you are so fond of Lord Worthington," said Alice.
"His manners are good; but there is nothing in him. Besides, he is
so young. I cannot endure his conversation. He has begun to talk
about Goodwood already."
"He will grow out of his excessive addiction to sport," said Lucian.
"Indeed," said Lydia. "And what will he grow into?"
"Possibly into a more reasonable man," said Lucian, gravely.
"I hope so," said Lydia; "but I prefer a man who is interested in
sport to a gentleman who is interested in nothing."
"Much might indubitably be said from that point of view. But it is
not necessary that Lord Worthington should waste his energy on
horse-racing. I presume you do not think political life, for which
his position peculiarly fits him, unworthy his attention."
"Party tactics are both exciting and amusing, no doubt. But are they
better than horse-racing? Jockeys and horse-breakers at least know
their business; our legislators do not. Is it pleasant to sit on a
bench--even though it be the treasury bench--and listen to either
absolute nonsense or childish disputes about conclusions that were
foregone in the minds of all sensible men a hundred years ago?"