He did not agree to the retrenchments, in
which he saw no sense, and retained his horse and groom. Luckily he
had retained only one when going abroad, and at this early season he
needed no more. But his grievous anxiety and restlessness about
Elvira did not make him by any means insensible to the effects of a
reduced establishment in a large house, and especially to the
handiwork of the good woman who had been left in charge, when
compared with that of the 80L cooks who had been the plague of his
mother's life.
No one, however, could wonder at his wretchedness, as day after day
passed without hearing from Elvira, and all that was known was that
she had left Mrs. Evelyn and gone to stay with Lady Flora Folliott, a
flighty young matron, who had been enraptured with her beauty at a
table d'hote a year ago, and had made advances not much relished by
the rest of the party.
No more was to be learnt till Lucas found a Saturday to come down.
Before he could say three words, he was cross-examined. Had he seen
Elvira?
"Several times."
"Spoken to her?"
"Yes."
"What had she said?"
"Asked him to look at a horse."
"Did she know he was coming home?"
"Yes."
"Had she sent any message?"
"Well-—yes. To desire that her Algerine costume should be sent up.
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