Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/295

 Drewitt's face with a pair of innocent blue eyes, "but the lady told me to come and tell you that she was Lady Drewitt."

"Page, such ingenuousness is wasted at the Diplomatic Club, you were meant for the Church," and with a look of reproach at Beresford, he walked towards the door, followed by the grinning page.

For nearly a quarter of an hour Beresford smoked contentedly, pondering over this new phase in his affairs. When at last Drewitt returned, he sat for fully a minute regarding his cousin.

"Richard," he said at length, "you have achieved what I've been striving after for years." Beresford looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"For the first time in her existence the aunt is experiencing real anguish of soul, and you are the cause. I congratulate you."

Beresford smiled; but made no comment.

"Incidentally she informed me that you are about to contract an alliance with a gipsy. I assured her that I would endeavour to dissuade you, as I already possess all the mats, brooms and wicker-chairs that I require, much as I should like to encourage you in your new vocation."

"What did she say?" enquired Beresford lazily.

"She said things, Richard, that should not be allowed to pass over even a private-line connecting a woman's club with the Suffragette Headquarters. She stripped life of its adornments, attacked Lloyd George and the Kaiser with marked impartiality. She deplored the rise of democracy and the payment