“Do you really think so? Well, perhaps after all, ’twill not be so very horrid. And⁠—and you will like to have Jack again, won’t you? Yes⁠—I knew you would. Oh, ’twill all be quite comfortable after a little while, I make no doubt!”

His Grace of Andover arose betimes, and early sallied forth into the street. He called a chair, and drove to an address in the Strand, where lodged a certain Colonel Shepherd. Half-an-hour did he spend with the Colonel, and when he at length emerged from the house the curl of his lip betokened satisfaction. He did not at once hail a chair, but walked along in the direction of St. James’s, entering the park in company with one Dare, who, seven years before, had given a certain memorable card-party.

Dare was pleasantly intrigued over Richard’s latest oddity.

“Have you an idea what ’tis about, Belmanoir?” he inquired. “Has he written you to come as well?”