Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/302

 "Do you think that you have been altogether tactful?" asked Lola demurely.

Drewitt looked at her for a moment reproachfully.

"I did what I thought would be best for Richard," he said wearily. "I even quoted verse, something about kind hearts being more than coronets, and she stopped me as if it had been Rabelaisian. I was relieved, as a matter of fact, for I never could remember the next line. I then went on to explain that the two things a man must choose for himself are his trouserings and his wife, they being the things he sees most of, but she was only scandalised."

"And you left her in the belief that—that I—I"

"Was a female vagabond," said Drewitt, filling in the blank. "Richard had set the ball in motion, it was not for me to interfere with the Aunt's plans."

"I think you've both behaved abominably," said Lola with conviction, "and I don't wonder that Lady Drewitt" She paused as if in search of the right expression.

"Thoroughly disapproves of us," suggested Beresford.

She nodded her head vigorously.

"Most of the trouble in this world," said Drewitt, "proceeds from people jumping to conclusions. If a man dances twice with a girl in one evening, her mamma looks him up in Who's Who, or sets on foot enquiries as to his position or stability. But I