Cotillion

Dolphinton wrinkled his brow in an effort of memory. ‘Something to do with Jack,’ he produced. ‘It don’t make sense, which is why I can’t remember it. I remember things very well in general, but not when I don’t understand them.’

‘Well, it is a very good thing that you don’t remember foolish things!’ said Kitty warmly. ‘You may tell your Mama that she very much mistakes the matter! No, I suppose you would not dare to do so: I shall contrive a way of telling her myself.’

He gripped her arm in great agitation. ‘No, no! You won’t tell Mama I told you what she said!’

He was so much alarmed that her anger died. She said soothingly: ‘No, I promise you I will not, Dolph. I would never betray you: you know I would not! I wish very much that I could help you.’

His grip shifted from her wrist to her hand, which he pressed gratefully. ‘I like you, Kitty!’ he uttered. ‘I like you better than Freddy. Better than Hugh. Better than—’

‘Yes, yes!’ she interrupted hastily. ‘Better than any of them!’

They walked slowly on, Kitty lost in thought, Dolphinton content to remain silent. Suddenly Kitty spoke. ‘Dolph, I have been thinking, and it has occurred to me all at once—You don’t wish to be married to me, do you?’ He shook his head. ‘Why don’t you?’ she demanded straitly.

He swallowed once or twice. ‘Not—not good at explaining!’ he said.

She paid no heed to this. ‘You like me, and you always do what your Mama bids you, and I must say it does seem to me as though you would be very glad to be married, if only to escape from your Mama. Dolph, can it be—are you—Dolph, do you wish to marry someone else?’

He turned quite pale, and almost dragged her round. ‘Go back to the carriage!’ he said. ‘Keeping the horses standing!’

‘No, that horrid groom is taking care of them for you. Tell me, Dolph! I won’t tell your Mama! I won’t tell anyone—upon my honour, I will not! It is some lady whom she does not like?’

?

?Never met her,’ he muttered. ‘Wouldn’t like her.’

‘Come and sit beside me on that seat!’ she coaxed.

‘Take a chill! Better go back!’

‘We will directly. It is so warm that I am sure it can do us no harm to sit for a few minutes in the sun. There! You see how pleasant it is! Pray don’t be afraid to confide in me! I would like so much to be able to help you. What is her name?’

‘Hannah.’

‘Hannah! Well—well, that is a very pretty name, I am sure! And her other name?’

‘Plymstock. That’s her brother’s name,’ said his lordship, making the matter plain. ‘Lives with him. Lives with his wife, too. Mrs Plymstock. Don’t like her. Don’t like Plymstock either.’ He reflected for a moment. ‘Or the children,’ he said.

‘Why don’t you like Mr Plymstock?’ asked Kitty, rather taken aback.

‘He’s a Cit,’ replied his lordship simply.

‘Oh, dear! But perhaps he is perfectly respectable!’

‘No, he ain’t. He’s a Revolutionary.’

‘Good heavens!’

He nodded. ‘Doesn’t like me. Doesn’t want me to marry Hannah. She says he don’t like Earls. Shows you, doesn’t it?’

She thought that it certainly threw a little light, but she refrained from saying so. ‘Tell me about Miss Plymstock!’ she begged. ‘Is she pretty?’

‘Yes,’ said his lordship. ‘Got the kind of face I like. Thought so the first time I saw her.’

‘When was that, Dolph?’

‘Cheltenham, last year. Mama took the cure. Thought I was hacking about the country. Wasn’t. Hoaxed her.’

‘A very excellent thing to have done!’ approved Kitty. ‘I think you were very clever to have thought of it!’