In this state of fluctuation he made up his mind so far as this: he would
manage so as to be able to go.
Even this demanded caution. So he began by throwing out, in a seeming
careless way, that he ought to go down into Huntingdonshire.
"Of course you ought," said Vizard.
No objection was taken, and they rather thought he would go next day. But
that was not his game. It would never do to go while they were in London.
So he kept postponing, and saying he would not tear himself away; and at
last, the day before they were to go down to Barfordshire, he affected to
yield to a remonstrance of Vizard, and said he would see them off, and
then run down to Huntingdonshire, look into his affairs, and cross the
country to Barfordshire.
"You might take Homburg on the way," said Fanny, out of fun--_her_
fun--not really meaning it.
Severne cast a piteous look at Zoe. "For shame, Fanny!" said she. "And
why put Homburg into his head?"
"When I had forgotten there was such a place," said Mr. Severne, taking
his cue dexterously from Zoe, and feigning innocent amazement. Zoe
colored with pleasure. This was at breakfast. At afternoon tea something
happened.
Pages:
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355