Thereby Hangs a Tale Part 31

"Yes, sir," said the footman.

"Look here, Lloyd," said Trevor, as the butler came into the room, "you made a mistake about that claret. See that the other wine is right; and if not, change it."

The butler looked aghast and hurried out, to return in a few minutes with a basket of bottles, which he changed for those already in the room.

Trevor said no more, but he was evidently making up his mind to suppress the mutiny with a high hand on the morrow; for, as the dinner went on, he became aware that in many little things his orders had been departed from. There was a paucity of plate, when an abundance lay in the chests; the dinner was good, by stretching a point, but not such as would please men accustomed to the _chefs_ of Pall Mall; and when at last the coffee was brought in it was of the most economical quality.

"There," said Trevor, "I'll set all right to-morrow, I'm very sorry, Vanleigh; but things are all sixes and sevens here. Pratt, pa.s.s the claret. Landells, try that port."

"Never drink port, dear boy," said the Baronet.

"Then let's go into the billiard-room; or what do you say, Van--would you prefer my room and a rubber?"

"Don't much care for billiards to-night," said Vanleigh. "By the way, though," he said, "will your estimable housekeeper permit smoking in the dining-room."

"Oh, come, Van," said Sir Felix, "don't be hard on your host."

"Shall I ring for cigars, d.i.c.k?" said Pratt, reaching out his hand.

"Do, please," was the reply. "Smoke where you like, gentlemen, and make yourselves at home. I don't want to be hard on the old people. You see, it's a particular case. I've been away for years. I left a boy, and they have had it all their own way. Oh, Lloyd, bring in the cigar boxes, and brandy and soda."

"Here, sir?" said the butler, hesitating.

"Here? Yes, here directly," said Trevor; and he looked annoyed as he caught a glance pa.s.sing from Vanleigh to Sir Felix.

"It's all right, d.i.c.k," said Pratt. "It's a nice estate, but weedy.

Pull 'em up, one at a time."

"By the way, Van," said Sir Felix, "didn't tell Trevor of our 'venture."

"No," said Vanleigh, kicking at his friend beneath the table; "been so taken up with other things. Brought home some neighbours of yours-- without leave--in the waggonette."

"Neighbours--without leave?" said Trevor, pa.s.sing the claret. "We are all ears."

"Some of us," muttered Pratt, glancing at Sir Felix, and then looking perfectly innocent.

"Neighbours of yours--a Sir Hampton Court."

"No, no--Weir or Here, or name of that sort," said Sir Felix.

"Carriage broke down--two daughters--deuced fine girls, too."

"Vewy," said Sir Felix, arranging his gummy moustache.

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Trevor. "No one hurt?"

"Calm yourself, my friend," said Vanleigh, proceeding in a most unruffled way. "The ladies were uninjured, and we--"

"Brought back--home," said Sir Felix, feebly.

"I'm heartily glad of it--I am, indeed," said Trevor, earnestly.

"Frank, old fellow, that will be an excuse for a call; and we can patch up the encounter. We were both horribly hot."

"Fever heat?" said Pratt.

"Yes, and I daresay the old fellow's as sorry now as I am. I'll--Well, Lloyd," he continued, as the butler came in, looking rather alarmed, and rubbing his hands softly, "where are the cigars?"

"Mustn't smoke!" said Vanleigh, in a whisper to Sir Felix, but heard by Pratt.

"If you please, sir, Mrs Lloyd thought you would like a fire in the smoking-room, sir, and I've taken the cigars in there."

"Bring--"

Trevor caught Pratt's eye, and he checked himself.

"Lloyd," he said, very quietly. "I don't think you understand me yet.

Go and fetch those cigar boxes."

The butler directed a pitiful, appealing look at the speaker, and then went out, leaving Trevor tapping the mahogany table excitedly, till Pratt tried to throw himself into the breach, with a remark about Sir Hampton; but no one answered, for Trevor was hard at work keeping down his annoyance, Vanleigh was picking his white teeth with a gold point, and Sir Felix was intent upon the tints in the gla.s.s he held up before his eye.

In another minute the butler returned with the cigars, and then departed to fulfil the other part of his orders.

"Now, Vanleigh, since we are favoured," said Trevor, laughing, "try one of these. I know they are genuine, for I got them myself at the Havanna."

"Really," said Vanleigh, with a show of consideration, "I'll give up my smoke, and I'm sure Flick will."

"Oh, yes, dear boy; don't mind me."

"For goodness' sake, gentlemen, don't make bad worse," said Trevor; "take your cigars and light up. Hallo, Frank! Don't go out, man."

"Not going," said Pratt, who had already lit a tremendous cigar, and was puffing away as he took a chair to the window.

"Then, why have you gone there?"

"To smoke the curtains for the benefit of Mrs Lloyd," was the reply; and he proceeded to put his intention in force.

After an hour they adjourned to Trevor's room, where they had refreshments brought in, and were soon deep in a rubber of whist, Pratt being partner with Vanleigh, and playing his very worst; but all the same, luck and his partner's skill carried them through, so that they won rather heavily. Time glided away, and the cigars were so good that for the first time that evening Trevor felt comfortable.

"Well," he thought, "we shall have no more of Mrs Lloyd to-night, and to-morrow I'll set things right. Me to lead? Good that--there's a trump."

At that moment the door opened, and Mrs Lloyd appeared, bearing a waiter with four flat candlesticks, and looking the very image of austerity.

"The house is all locked up now, sir," she said, in a cold, hard voice.

"It is half-past ten."

"Thank you, Mrs Lloyd," said Trevor, and his face twitched with annoyance.

"Is half-past ten--bedtime--Mrs Lloyd?" said Pratt, laying down his cards.