Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/335

Rh on; "whose money? That which Lord Lamerton gave you. How many hundreds of pounds do you suppose you have cost him? In sending you to Bordighera, in doctors' bills, in school and college accounts? You swaggered at Oxford as a gentleman, and Lord Lamerton paid for it. He furnished your rooms in college, paid your battels. You invited your friends to breakfasts and wines, and he paid for them. Who but he put the clothes on your back, hung the pictures on your walls, fitted neat boots on your feet, and supplied you with that silk pocket-handkerchief you are now using to wipe the shame drops off your brow with? And—in return for all this, you stab him to the heart and blast the fair name of his child! Good heavens! I feel as uncomfortable in your presence as would Mr. Gladstone in a lodge of Primrose Dames on St. Benjamin's day. But there!—enough about your despicable self. It is high time something were done about Miss Inglett. I'll go with you. What a nuisance it is that Tryphœna is just now without a cook. I'll bring the girl here, nevertheless, if she has nowhere else to go to; or I will run down with her myself to Orleigh, or I'll take her to any relation she may have in town. You come with me, you mean little cad, as far as your inn, or lodgings, or where the deuce you are, and leave me there. Don't show your pasty face again. We have seen already too much of you."

He rang the bell, and the maid-of-all-work appeared.

"Susan, turn, or take off your apron, and run and fetch me a hansom."

"Please, sir, an' if I don't come on an 'ansom?"

"Then a cab. Come, sharp!"

He said no more. He was agitated, because very angry. He went out for his hat and gloves, and an umbrella, opened the latter, and refolded it; then he discovered that he was in a shabby morning coat, so he changed it upstairs,