The Outcry Part 12

"Thanks," said Hugh elatedly, and hastened away.

Lord John, when he had gone, found relief in a quick comment. "Very sharp, no doubt--but he wants taking down."

The master of Dedborough wouldn't have put it so crudely, but the young expert did bring certain things home. "The people my daughters, in the exercise of a wild freedom, do pick up----!"

"Well, don't you see that all you've got to do--on the question we're dealing with--is to claim your very own wild freedom? Surely I'm right in feeling you," Lord John further remarked, "to have jumped at once to my idea that Bender is heaven-sent--and at what they call the psychologic moment, don't they?--to point that moral. Why look anywhere else for a sum of money that--smaller or greater--you can find with perfect ease in that extraordinarily bulging pocket?"

Lord Theign, slowly pacing the hall again, threw up his hands. "Ah, with 'perfect ease' can scarcely be said!"

"Why not?--when he absolutely thrusts his dirty dollars down your throat."

"Oh, I'm not talking of ease to _him_," Lord Theign returned--"I'm talking of ease to myself. I shall have to make a sacrifice."

"Why not then--for so great a convenience--gallantly make it?"

"Ah, my dear chap, if you want me to sell my Sir Joshua----!"

But the horror in the words said enough, and Lord John felt its chill.

"I don't make a point of that--G.o.d forbid! But there are other things to which the objection wouldn't apply."

"You see how it applies--in the case of the Moret-to--for _him_. A mere Moretto," said Lord Theign, "is too cheap--for a Yankee 'on the spend.'"

"Then the Mantovano wouldn't be."

"It remains to be proved that it _is_ a Mantovano."

"Well," said Lord John, "go into it."

"Hanged if I won't!" his friend broke out after a moment. "It _would_ suit me. I mean"--the explanation came after a brief intensity of thought--"the possible size of his cheque would."

"Oh," said Lord John gaily, "I guess there's no limit to the possible size of his cheque!"

"Yes, it would suit me, it would suit me!" the elder man, standing there, audibly mused. But his air changed and a lighter question came up to him as he saw his daughter reappear at the door from the terrace.

"Well, the infant horde?" he immediately put to her.

Lady Grace came in, dutifully accounting for them. "They've marched off--in a huge procession."

"Thank goodness! And our friends?"

"All playing tennis," she said--"save those who are sitting it out." To which she added, as to explain her return: "Mr. Crimble has gone?"

Lord John took upon him to say. "He's in the library, to which you addressed him--making discoveries."

"Not then, I hope," she smiled, "to our disadvantage!"

"To your very great honour and glory." Lord John clearly valued the effect he might produce.

"Your Moretto of Brescia--do you know what it really and spendidly is?" And then as the girl, in her surprise, but wondered: "A Mantovano, neither more nor less. Ever so much more swagger."

"A Mantovano?" Lady Grace echoed. "Why, how tremendously jolly!"

Her father was struck. "Do you know the artist--of whom I had never heard?"

"Yes, something of the little that _is_ known." And she rejoiced as her knowledge came to her. "He's a tremendous swell, because, great as he was, there are but seven proved examples----"

"With this of yours," Lord John broke in, "there are eight."

"Then why haven't I known about him?" Lord Theign put it as if so many other people were guilty for this.

His daughter was the first to plead for the vague body. "Why, I suppose in order that you should have exactly this pleasure, father."

"Oh, pleasures not desired are like acquaintances not sought--they rather bore one!" Lord Theign sighed. With which he moved away from her.

Her eyes followed him an instant--then she smiled at their guest. "Is he bored at having the higher prize--if you're sure it _is_ the higher?"

"Mr. Crimble is sure--because if he isn't," Lord John added, "he's a wretch."

"Well," she returned, "as he's certainly not a wretch it must be true.

And fancy," she exclaimed further, though as more particularly for herself, "our having suddenly incurred this immense debt to him!"

"Oh, I shall pay Mr. Crimble!" said her father, who had turned round.

The whole question appeared to have provoked in Lord John a rise of spirits and a flush of humour. "Don't you let him stick it on."

His host, however, bethinking himself, checked him. "Go _you_ to Mr.

Bender straight!"

Lord John saw the point. "Yes--till he leaves. But I shall find you here, shan't I?" he asked with all earnestness of Lady Grace.

She had an hesitation, but after a look at her father she a.s.sented.

"I'll wait for you."

"Then _a tantot!_" It made him show for happy as, waving his hand at her, he proceeded to seek Mr. Bender in presence of the object that most excited that gentleman's appet.i.te--to say nothing of the effect involved on Lord John's own.

IX

Lord Theign, when he had gone, revolved--it might have been nervously--about the place a little, but soon broke ground. "He'll have told you, I understand, that I've promised to speak to you for him. But I understand also that he has found something to say for himself."

"Yes, we talked--a while since," the girl said. "At least _he_ did."

"Then if you listened I hope you listened with a good grace."

"Oh, he speaks very well--and I've never disliked him."

It pulled her father up. "Is that _all_--when I think so much of him?"