The Cabinet Minister Part 40

"Dear Mr. White." I shall never call him Valentine again, except in my thoughts. [Reading.] "Dear Mr. White, I am sorry to hear that you are discontented with your recent appointment to the Deputy-a.s.sistant-Head-Gamekeepers.h.i.+p on the Drumdurris estate, and that you consider it a sinecure fit only for a debilitated peer." Now for it.

[Resuming.] "Permit me to take this opportunity of informing you that I have at length consented to an engagement between myself and Sir Colin Macphail of Ballocheevin." Oh, how awful it looks in ink! [Resuming.]

"As it is becoming that I should support such a position with dignity I would prefer not encountering your dislike to 'stuck-up people' by ever seeing you again." Oh, Val. "I therefore suggest that you obtain a nastier appointment than that of Deputy-a.s.sistant-Head-Gamekeeper at Drumdurris without delay." That will do--beautifully. [In tears.] Oh, Val, why have you never spoken? I know you are poor, but I would have gone away with you and lived cheerfully and economically in that rock if you had but asked me. Why, why have you never asked me?

[She sits on a footstool looking into the fire. BROOKE, in shooting dress, strolls in with LADY EUPHEMIA. They do not see IMOGEN.]

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

[Coolly.] Well, then, Effie, I suppose I may regard our engagement as a fixture--what? I needn't say you'll find me an excellent husband.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Thanks, awfully. But perhaps you had better mention the subject to me again at some other time.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Well, I shall be rather busy for the next week or two.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Oh, quite as you please. [Giving him her hand.] But you are really _too_ impetuous.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Not at all. [About to kiss her.] You'll permit me, naturally?

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

[Languidly turning her cheek toward him.] Of course. Be careful of my hair--it will not be dressed again before lunch.

[He kisses her cheek cautiously. IMOGEN rises without seeing them.]

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

[To BROOKE.] Somebody.

[They stroll away in opposite directions.]

IMOGEN.

After all, as he has never been a lover, why shouldn't I see him and mention my engagement in a calm, cool, ladylike way? [Tearing up the letter pa.s.sionately.] I must see him once more--in a calm, cool, ladylike way. I'll write just a line asking him to come to me this morning.

[As she sits to write LADY EUPHEMIA and BROOKE stroll in again and meet each other.]

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

[To BROOKE.] Good-morning.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

[To LADY EUPHEMIA.] Good-morning.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Why, it's Imogen! Oh, let me congratulate you. [Kissing her.] The news is too delightful.

IMOGEN.

Thank you.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Accept my congratulations also. Splendid fellow, Macphail; not one of those men who talk the top of your head off.

IMOGEN.

[Writing.] No, not quite. Brooke, dear, will you give Mr. White a little note from me?

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Certainly. By the bye, while I think of it, you'll be glad to hear that Effie has honored me by consenting to--er--marry me--what!

IMOGEN.

Effie!

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

How your mind does run on that subject, Brooke!

IMOGEN.

[Throwing her arms round LADY EUPHEMIA'S neck.] What happy people, both of you!

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

My hair!

IMOGEN.

[Kissing BROOKE.] A thousand congratulations, my dear, clever, old brother!

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

The bother with mamma will be too wearying.

IMOGEN.

Why a bother?