A moment later the young Viscount was seated in the chair which the elderly Marquis had vacated. He presented therein a figure which, in its way, was perhaps as courtly as the other had been--but the way was widely different.
Lord Plowden's fine, lithe form expressed no deference in its easy postures. His handsome face was at no pains to assume conciliatory or ingratiating aspects.
His brilliant brown eyes sparkled a confident, buoyant gaze full into the heavy, lethargic countenance of the big man at the desk.
"I haven't bothered you before," he said, tossing his gloves into his hat, and spreading his frock-coat out by its silk lapels. He crossed his legs, and sat back with a comfortable smile. "I knew you were awfully busy--and I kept away as long as I could.
But now--well, the truth is--I'm in rather of a hole.
I hope you don't mind my coming."
"Why not at all," said Thorpe, laconically. After a momentary pause he added: "The Marquis has just been consulting me about the postponement of the annual meeting. I suppose you agree with us--that it would be better to put it off.
There's really nothing to report. Of course, you know more about the situation than he does--between ourselves.
The shareholders don't want a meeting; it's enough for them that their shares are worth fifteen or twenty times what they paid for them. And certainly WE don't need a meeting, as things stand now.""Ah yes--how do things stand now?" asked Lord Plowden, briskly.
"Well,"--Thorpe eyed his visitor with a moody blankness of gaze, his chin once more buried in his collar--"well, everything is going all right, as far as I can see.
But, of course, these dealings in our shares in the City have taken up all my time--so that I haven't been able to give any attention to starting up work in Mexico.
That being the case, I shall arrange to foot all the bills for this year's expenses--the rent, the Directors' fees and clerk-hire and so on--out of my own pocket.
It comes, all told, to about 2,700 pounds--without counting my extra 1,000 pounds as Managing Director.
I don't propose to ask for a penny of that, under the circumstances--and I'll even pay the other expenses.
So that the Company isn't losing a penny by our not getting to work at the development of the property.
No one could ask anything fairer than that.--And are your mother and sister quite well?""Oh, very well indeed, thanks," replied the other. He relapsed abruptly into a silence which was plainly preoccupied.
Something of the radiant cheerfulness with which his face had beamed seemed to have faded away.
"I'm in treaty for a house and a moor in the Highlands"--Thorpe went on, in a casual tone--"in fact, I'm hesitating between three or four places that all seem to be pretty good--but Idon't know whether I can get away much before the twentieth.
I hope you can contrive to come while I'm there.
I should like it very much if you would bring your mother and sister--and your brother too. I have a nephew about his age--a fine young fellow--who'd be company for him.
Why can't you say now that you'll all come?"
Lord Plowden emerged from his brown study with the gleam of some new idea on his face. "I might bring my sister,"he said. "My mother hates Scotland. She doesn't go about, either, even in England. But I daresay Winnie would enjoy it immensely. She has a great opinion of you, you know.""I only saw her that once," Thorpe remarked.
Some thought behind his words lent a musing effect to the tone in which they were uttered. The brother's contemplative smile seemed a comment upon this tone.
"Women are curious creatures," he said. "They take fancies and dislikes as swiftly and irresponsibly as cloud-shadows shift and change on a mountain-side in April. But Ihappen to know that my sister does like you immensely.
So does my mother," he added, with another little smile.
He continued to regard Thorpe's face, but there was an increasing uncertainty in his glance. "You've put on flesh, haven't you?" he ventured, after a brief pause.
There was the implication in his voice and manner that he observed changes which disconcerted him.
"Not much, I guess," replied the other, carelessly.
"I've been sticking to the City pretty closely. That's all.
There's nothing that a fortnight's rest won't put right.
I should like it first-rate to have you and your sister come.
I'll let you know which place I decide upon. Very likely you can manage to bring her at the same time that some other ladies will be there. I expect Lady Cressage and Miss Madden, you know."Lord Plowden stared at his friend. "Are they back? Have they returned to England?" he asked, confusedly.
"Oh, didn't you know?" Thorpe pursued, with an accession of amiability. He visibly had pleasure in the disclosure of the other's ignorance. "They've been in London for two or three weeks. That is, Miss Madden has been taking flying trips to see cathedrals and so on, but Lady Cressage has stayed in town. Their long journeyings have rather done her up. "He looked Plowden straight in the eye, and added with an air of deliberation: "I'm rather anxious about her health."The nobleman frankly abandoned his efforts to maintain an undisturbed front. "You--are--anxious," he repeated, frowning in displeased wonderment.
"Why yes--why not?" demanded Thorpe, with a sudden growl in his voice. As he covered the handsome Viscount with his heavy, intent gaze, impulses of wrath stirred within him. Why should this fop of a lordling put on this air of contemptuous incredulity?" What is there so amazing about that? Why shouldn't I be anxious?"The peremptory harshness of his manner, and the scowl on his big, lowering face, brought a sort of self-control back to the other. He shrugged his shoulders, with an attempt at nonchalance. "Why not indeed!"he said, as lightly as he could. With hands on knees, he bent forward as if to rise. "But perhaps I'd better come in another day," he suggested, tentatively.
"I'm interrupting you."
