There was just the least suggestion of shyness in her manner, and it is just possible that this softened the old cynic"s heart, for his manner was kinder and almost fatherly when he spoke again.
"Ah!" he said, "at your time of life you do not want much--plenty of partners and a few ices. Both easily obtainable."
The last words were turned into a compliment by the courtly inclination of the head that accompanied them.
The exigencies of the moment forced the young people to go with the stream.
"Jack," said Sir John, as they pa.s.sed on, "when you have been deprived of Miss Chyne"s society, come and console yourself with a gla.s.s of sherry."
The dutiful son nodded a semi-indifferent acquiescence and disappeared.
"Wonderful thing, sherry!" observed Sir John Meredith for his own edification.
He waited there until Jack returned, and then they set off in search of refreshment. The son seemed to know his whereabouts better than the father.
"This way," he said, "through the conservatory."
Amidst the palms and tropical ferns Sir John paused. A great deal of care had been devoted to this conservatory. Half hidden among languorous scented flowers were a thousand tiny lights, while overhead in the gloom towered graceful palms and bananas. A fountain murmured pleasantly amidst a cl.u.s.ter of maidenhairs. The music from the ballroom fell softly over all.
Sir John Meredith and his son stood in silence, looking around them.
Finally their eyes met.
"Are you in earnest with that girl?" asked Sir John abruptly.
"I am," replied Jack. He was smiling pleasantly.
"And you think there is a chance of her marrying you--unless, of course, something better turns up?"
"With all due modesty I do."
Sir John"s hand was at his mouth. He stood up his full six feet two and looked hard at his son, whose eyes were level with his own. They were ideal representatives of their school.
"And what do you propose marrying upon? She, I understand, has about eight hundred a year. I respect you too much to suspect any foolish notions of love in a cottage."
Jack Meredith made no reply. He was entirely dependent upon his father.
"Of course," said Sir John, "when I die you will be a baronet, and there will be enough to live on like a gentleman. You had better tell Miss Chyne that. She may not know it. Girls are so innocent. But I am not dead yet, and I shall take especial care to live some time."
"In order to prevent my marriage?" suggested Jack. He was still smiling, and somehow Sir John felt a little uneasy. He did not understand that smile.
"Precisely so," he said, rather indistinctly.
"What is your objection?" inquired Jack Meredith, after a little pause.
"I object to the girl."
"Upon what grounds?"
"I should prefer you to marry a woman of heart."
"Heart?" repeated Jack, with a suspicion of hereditary cynicism. "I do not think heart is of much consequence. Besides, in this case, surely that is my province! you would not have her wear it on her sleeve?"
"She could not do that: not enough sleeve."
Sir John Meredith had his own views on ladies" dress.
"But," he added, "we will not quarrel. Arrange matters with the young lady as best you can. I shall never approve of such a match, and without my approval you cannot well marry."
"I do not admit that."
"Indeed?"
"Your approval means money," explained this dutiful son politely. "I might manage to make the money for myself."
Sir John moved away.
"You might," he admitted, looking back. "I should be very glad to see you doing so. It is an excellent thing--money."
And he walked leisurely away.
CHAPTER III. A FAREWELL
Since called The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown.
Having been taught to take all the chances and changes of life with a well-bred calmness of demeanour, Jack Meredith turned the teaching against the instructor. He pursued the course of his social duties without appearing to devote so much as a thought to the quarrel which had taken place in the conservatory. His smile was as ready as ever, his sight as keen where an elderly lady looked hungry, his laughter as near the surface as society demands. It is probable that Sir John suffered more, though he betrayed nothing. Youth has the upper hand in these cases, for life is a larger thing when we are young. As we get on in years, our eggs, to use a homely simile, have a way of acc.u.mulating into one basket.
At eleven o"clock the next morning Sir John Meredith"s valet intimated to his master that Mr. Meredith was waiting in the breakfast-room. Sir John was in the midst of his toilet--a complicated affair, which, like other works of art, would not bear contemplation when incomplete.
"Tell him," said the uncompromising old gentleman, "that I will come down when I am ready."
He made a more careful toilet than usual, and finally came down in a gay tweed suit, of which the general effect was distinctly heightened by a pair of white gaiters. He was upright, trim, and perfectly determined.
Jack noted that his clothes looked a little emptier than usual--that was all.
"Well," said the father, "I suppose we both made fools of ourselves last night."
"I have not yet seen you do that," replied the son, laying aside the morning paper which he had been reading.
Sir John smiled grimly. He hoped that Jack was right.
"Well," he added, "let us call it a difference of opinion."
"Yes."
Something in the monosyllable made the old gentleman"s lips twitch nervously.