Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/400

392 Tryphœna is a good soul; it is true that we are without a cook, but if you do not object to rissoles I shall be happy to offer you such hospitality as my house affords. Shepherd's Bush is not the most aristocratic quarter of the town, but Poplar is worse; it is not near the theatres and the parks, but you're welcome to it. Your idea is startling. I'll go into that cul-de-sac, Queen's Square, where runs no cab, no 'bus does rumble, and consider it there."

"Will you see my aunt, Lady Hermione? It will save me writing, and you can explain the circumstances by word better than I can tell them with a pen."

"Bless me! I have a mind to do so." He stopped, went to the window, came back, and said abruptly, "Yes, I will. God bless me! To think that I—I of all men, a raging Democrat, should be hansoming to and fro between my Ladies and Honourables."

"You can do what will give you pleasure," said the girl with a faint smile—"with a stroke of the pen convert the Honourable Arminell into plain Miss Inglett."

He did not laugh at the sally. He came in front of her, and stood contemplating her, with his hands behind his back.

"God bless me!" he said, "one can be heroic after all in modern costume. I didn't think it. Well, I will go, but write me a line to ensure her receiving me in the morning."

Arminell did as required.

When she had finished the note and was folding it, she looked up at Welsh, and asked, "Have you read the Hecuba?"

"The Hecuba? Classic? Not even in Bonn's translation."

"Then the saying of Hecuba to Polyxenes will not occur to you: 'I am dead before my death, through my ills.'"

"I will go," he said, and held out his hand. "Give me a shake—it will do me good."