"Oh, pshaw! 'Tis nought. I want your opinion on the bay mare I boughtlast week. You'll maybe think her a trifle long in the leg, but she's afine animal."
John had run indoors, and the two men proceeded to the stables alone,Andrew discoursing all the way, recounting for his brother-in-law'sbenefit the choicest morsels of scandal that were circulating town atthe moment. That his auditor but attended with half an ear affected himnot at all; he never paused for an answer, and, in any case, was far toogood-natured to care if he received none.
By the time they had duly inspected the mare and walked back to thehouse, it was nearly four o'clock, and, not altogether to Carstares'surprise, Lavinia was awaiting them on the terrace, clad in a totallydifferent gown, and with her hair freshly arranged and curled.
"'Twould appear that Lavinia has recovered," remarked Andrew as theymounted the steps. "She
was ever thus--not two minutes the same. Well,Lavvy?"
"Well, Andrew?" She gave him a careless hand to kiss, but smiled sweetlyup at her husband. "My headache is so much better," she told him, "andthey said that Andrew was come to see you. So I came downstairs." Sheturned eagerly to her brother. "Tell me, Andrew, is Tracy at home?"
"Lord, yes! He arrived yesterday, devil take him! Do you want him?"
"Oh, yes," she nodded. "I want to see him again. I've not set eyes onhim for an age. I want you to take me back with you."
"Surely, my dear, 'tis a trifle late in the day for such a drive?"demurred Richard, trying to conceal his annoyance. "Can you not waituntil to-morrow?"
"Faith, you'll have to, Lavvy, for I'll not take you to-day, that'scertain. I'm riding to Fletcher's when I leave here. Tracy can visit youto-morrow an he chooses."
"Will he?" she asked doubtfully.
Andrew clapped his hand to his vest pocket. "If I had not forgot!" heexclaimed. "I've a letter from him for you. He intends waiting on youto-morrow, in any case. Lord, what it is to have a scatter brain likemine!" He pulled a handful of papers from his pocket and selected one,sealed, and addressed in a sloping Italian handwriting.
Lavinia pounced upon it joyfully, and tore it open. Andrew restored therest of the documents to his pocket with yet another rueful laugh.
"Duns, Richard! Duns!"
"Give them to me," answered the other, holding out his hand.
"Oh, no! But many thanks, Dick. These are quite unimportant."
"Why not pay them all, and start afresh?" urged Carstares.
"Lord, no! Why, I should be so damned elated that before the day was outthere'd be a score of fresh debts staring me in the face!"
"Let me lend you a thousand to begin on? Could you not keep out ofdebt?"
"I keep out of debt? Impossible! Don't look so solemn, Dick; I told you'twas in the blood. We never have a penny to bless ourselves with, butwhat's the odds? I shall have a run of luck soon--a man can't alwayslose. Then I shall be able to repay you, but, of course, I shan't.It'll all go at the next table. _I_ know!" He spoke so ingenuously thatRichard could not be angry with him. There was a certain frankness abouthim that pleased, and though he might be spendthrift and heedless, andcolossally selfish, Richard felt a genuine affection for him. He wouldhave liked to argue the point further, but Lavinia came forward,refolding her letter.
"Tracy is coming to-morrow afternoon," she told her husband. "'Twill beprodigiously agreeable, will it not?"
He assented, but with a lack of warmth that did not fail to strike herears.
"And he will stay to dine with us!" she cried challengingly.
"Certainly, my love."
"Look pleased, Dicky, look pleased! Why don't you like Tracy? He is myown brother; you _must_ like him!"
"Of course I like him, Lavinia. Pray, do not be foolish."
"Oh, I am not! Don't be cross, Dicky dear!"
"Well, if you like him, I'm surprised," broke in Andrew. "I can't bearhim! Ay, flash your eyes at me, Lavvy; I don't mind."
Lavinia opened her mouth to retaliate, but Richard hastily interposed.Their bickering was more than he could bear, and he never understood howLavinia could stoop to quarrel with the boisterous youth, who tried sopalpably to rouse her.
He bore them both off to the house, feeling much like a nursemaid withtwo recalcitrant children.