“ ’Pon my honour⁠—Lavinia!”

My lady was not fond of her brother, and acknowledged the salutation with a brief nod.

“I am delighted to see you, Robert,” she said primly.

“The mere word ‘delighted’ in no way expresses my sensations,” replied the Colonel in the drawling, rather unpleasant voice peculiar both to him and to the Duke. “Your servant, D’Egmont. I imagined, Lavvy, that you were in the country?”

“Richard brought me to town last Tuesday,” she answered.

“How unwise of him!” taunted the Colonel. “Or had he no choice?”

She tossed her head angrily.

“If you are minded to be disagreeable, Robert, pray do not let me detain you!” she flashed.