April Lady

‘N

o, my God!’ said Cardross, with feeling.

‘Better make the best of it,’ decided Mr Hethersett. ‘Think I’ll be going now. Daresay, you’ll like to be left alone.’

Nell held out her hand to him. ‘I have quite ruined your evening!’ she said contritely. ‘Indeed, I am sorry, and so very much obliged to you!’

‘No, no, happy to have been of service!’ he replied, bowing with exquisite grace over her hand. ‘Besides, no such thing! Only on my way to White’s, before taking a look-in at the Seftons’ ball. Night’s young yet!’

‘Yes, by Jove, so it is!’ said the Viscount. ‘Here, Corny, wake up!’

Mr Fancot, urgently shaken, opened his eyes, smiled upon the company, and began to hum softly and unmelodiously to himself.

‘Now, for the lord’s sake, Corny, you ain’t as dead-beat as that!’ said the Viscount. ‘Don’t start singing again, because you know dashed well you can’t do it!’

‘It’s my birthday,’ stated Mr Fancot.

‘Well, that’s got nothing to say to anything! Come along! Time we were going!’

‘I can sing on my birthday,’ said Mr Fancot. ‘I can sing Sing old rose, and burn the bellows, and I can sing your song, and I can –’

‘Chip-chow, cherry-chow?’ interrupted Mr Hethersett.

‘That’s the one!’ nodded Mr Fancot, pleased. ‘You know it too?’

‘I’ve heard it,’ replied Mr Hethersett, rather grimly. He met the Viscount’s challenging gaze, and held it. ‘You’ve called me a few names this night, Dysart! Now I’ll take leave to tell you that you’re the biggest cod’s head I ever knew!’

‘What the devil do you mean by that?’ the Viscount shot at him, flushing.

‘You know dashed well what I mean! You learned that song from Cripplegate!’

‘What if I did?’ demanded Dysart.

‘I’ll tell you that, Dysart,’ interposed Cardross. He nodded dismissal to his cousin, and looked Dysart over. ‘Beggars’ Club, eh? Well, I thought as much! A Hussar regiment should suit you: it would be a pity to waste your horsemanship. Well?’

‘Oh, to hell with you! I’ve told you I can’t!’ Dysart said.

‘You’ll find you can, I promise you.’

‘By Jove, what wouldn’t I give to be out there!’ Dysart said impulsively.

‘You going to join, Dy?’ enquired Mr Fancot, who had been following this conversation with great interest. ‘That’s a devilish good notion! Let’s go and join at once!’

‘Well, we can’t,’ said Dysart shortly. ‘Besides, you don’t want to join!’

‘Yes, I do,’ asserted Mr Fancot. ‘Can’t think why I didn’t hit on the notion before! There’s nothing left to do here, except walk backwards to Brighton, and I don’t fancy that above half.’

‘Who shall blame you?’ agreed Cardross, shepherding him kindly but firmly into the hall.

‘That’s just it,’ explained Mr Fancot. ‘I may have to. Never refused a challenge in my life, and I’ve a notion Willy means to try me with that one. You know Willy?’

‘No, but I should lose no time in leaving the country.’

‘You’re a sensible man,’ said Mr Fancot warmly. ‘Very happy to have met you!’

‘The pleasure has been all mine,’ said Cardross, putting his hat into his hand, and opening the front door.

‘Not at all, not at all!’ responded Mr Fancot, ambling down the steps.