Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/274

266 the drawing-room, and caught his wife dozing over a magazine. He put his hand on her shoulder, and said,

"Julia!"

She started, and dropped her book.

"Oh, you are back at last! Have you had anything to eat?"

"More than I am able to digest, my dear."

"How did the speech succeed? You remembered Langland's date, I hope?"

"My dear, I have heard too many speeches to-day to remember anything about my own—that is to say, yours. I have had three—one from Mr. Welsh, one from Captain Saltren, and one from Arminell, and upon my soul, I do not know which was the most unpleasant. Do you know where Arminell has been since dinner?"

"In her room, I suppose."

"No; she has been out—with Jingles."

"Never!"

Her ladyship looked blank.

"It is a fact. She went with him to a meeting held by the malcontents against me; went to hear what they had to say against her own father, and went with that fellow with whom you had cautioned her not to be seen, and whom I had forbidden to associate with her."

"Good gracious! how improper."

"The girl is unmanageable. However, I have got her to promise to go to her Aunt Hermione for a bit, if Hermione will take her. I tried to make her agree to six months, but I am not sure that I can bring her to consent to so long a banishment."

"But—to go out with Jingles, after all that has been said to her!"

"And for him to have the audacity to take her out—and to such a meeting."

"They must have gone out immediately after dinner. You have not dined?"