Selina gave her head a slight toss. ‘I suppose you know all about Sophy’s ball: well, I am sure I don’t care, for you cannot stop it now that all the cards of invitation have gone out, and three hundred and eighty seven persons have accepted! Mama, Sophy says that when she and Sir Horace held a great reception in Vienna, Sir Horace warned the police-officers of it, so that they were able to keep the street clear, and tell the coachmen where to go, and so-on. Did we not do the same for Cecilia’s ball?’
‘Yes, and the link-boys as well,’ replied Lady Ombersley, emerging briefly from her handkerchief, but retiring into its protection again immediately.
‘Yes, Mama, and the champagne!’ said Selina, determined to discharge the whole of her errand. ‘Should it be ordered from Gunters, with all the rest? Or –’
‘You may inform your cousin,’ interrupted Mr Rivenhall, ‘that the champagne will be provided from our own cellars!’ He then turned his shoulder on his young sister, and demanded of his parent: ‘How does it come about that Eugenia has not mentioned this affair to me? Has she not been invited to your ball?’
One desperately enquiring eye emerged from the handkerchief, wildly seeking enlightenment of Selina.
‘Good gracious, Charles!’ said that damsel, shocked. ‘Can you have forgotten the bereavement in Miss Wraxton’s family? I am sure if she has told us once she has told us a dozen times that propriety forbids her to attend any but the most quiet parties!’
‘This, too, is my cousin’s work, I collect!’ he said, his lips tightening. ‘I must say, ma’am, I might have expected, if you were bent on this folly, that you would have sent a card to my promised wife!’
‘Of course, Charles, of course!’ said Lady Ombersley. ‘If it has not been done, it is a foolish oversight! Though it is perfectly true that Eugenia has told us that while she is in black gloves –’
‘Oh, Mama, don’t!’ cried Selina impetuously. ‘You know she will cast a damper over everything, with that long face of hers, just like a horse –’
‘How dare you?’ interrupted Mr Rivenhall furiously.
Selina looked a little frightened, but muttered: ‘Well, shedoes, whatever you may choose to think, Charles!’
‘More of my cousin’s work, no doubt!’
Selina flushed, and cast down her eyes. Mr Rivenhall turned to his mother. ‘Be so good as to tell me, ma’am, in what manner this affair is arranged between you and Sophy! Does she give you a draft on my uncle’s bank, or what?’
‘I – I don’t precisely know!’ said Lady Ombersley. ‘I mean, it has not been discussed yet! Indeed, Charles, I did not knowmyself until the just the other day that so many people had been invited!’
‘Well,Iknow, Mama!’ said Selina. ‘The bills are all sent to Sophy, and you will not be troubled with them at all!’
‘I thank you!’ Charles said, and walked abruptly out of the room.
He found his cousin in the small saloon at the back of the house which was generally known as the Young Ladies’ Room. She was engaged in compiling some kind of a list, but she looked up at the opening of the door, and smiled at Charles. ‘Are you looking for Cecilia? She has gone out to do some shopping in Bond Street, with Miss Adderbury.’
‘No, I am not looking for Cecilia!’ he answered. ‘My business is with you, cousin, and will not take me long. I am informed that my mother is giving a ball in your honour on Tuesday, and by some extraordinary piece of mismanagement the bills for this have been sent to you. Will you be so obliging as to find them, and give them to me?’
‘On your high ropes again, Charles?’ she said, lifting her brows. ‘This is Sir Horace’s ball, not my aunt’s: there is no mismanagement.’
‘Sir Horace may be master in his own house – though that I doubt! – but he is not master in this one! If my mother chooses to hold a ball, she may do so, but in no circumstances will the charge fall upon my uncle. It is intolerable that you should have persuaded my mother to consent to such a scheme! Give me what bills you have, if you please!’
‘But I do not please,’ replied Sophy. ‘Neither Sir Horace nor you, dear cousin, is the master in this house. I have my Uncle Ombersley’s consent to what I have done.’ She saw with satisfaction that she had utterly taken him aback, and added: ‘If I were you, Charles, I would go for a nice walk in the Park. I have always found that there is nothing so beneficial to the temper as exercise in the fresh air.’
He controlled himself with a strong effort. ‘Cousin, I am in earnest! I cannot and I will not tolerate such a situation as this!’
‘But no one has asked you to tolerate anything at all,’ she pointed out. ‘If my uncle and aunt are satisfied with my arrangements, pray what have you to say to them?’
He said through shut teeth: ‘I think I told you once before, cousin, that we did very well here before you came to upset all our comfort!’
‘Yes, you did, and what you meant, Charles, was that until I came no one dared to flout you. You should be grateful to me – or at any rate, Miss Wraxton should, for I am sure you would have made an odious husband before I came to stay with your Mama.’
This put him in mind of a complaint he could with justice make. He said stiffly: ‘Since you have brought up Miss Wraxton’s name, I shall be much obliged to you, cousin, if you will refrain from telling my sisters that she has a face like a horse!’
‘But, Charles, no blame attaches to Miss Wraxton! She cannot help it, and that, Iassureyou, I have always pointed out to your sisters!’
‘I consider Miss Wraxton’s countenance particularly well-bred!’
‘Yes, indeed, but you have quite misunderstood the matter! Imeanta particularly well-bred horse!’
‘You meant, as I am perfectly aware, to belittle Miss Wraxton!’
