There certainly ought to have
been some--"
But Briggs took no notice of him whatever; he simply continued to
look at Lady Caroline as though she were the first woman he had ever
seen. Neither, Mr. Wilkins observed, did Lady Caroline take any notice
of him; she too continued to look at Briggs, and with that odd air of
almost appeal. Most unwise. Most.
Lotty, on the other hand, took too much notice of him, choosing
this moment when Lady Caroline needed special support and protection to
get up off the wall and put her arm through his and draw him away.
"I want to tell you something, Mellersh," said Lotty at this
juncture, getting up.
"Presently," said Mr. Wilkins, waving her aside.
"No--now," said Lotty; and she drew him away.
He went with extreme reluctance. Briggs should be given no rope
at all--not an inch.
"Well--what is it?" he asked impatiently, as she led him towards
the house. Lady Caroline ought not to be left like that, exposed to
annoyance.
"Oh, but she isn't," Lotty assured him, just as if he had said
this aloud, which he certainly had not. "Caroline is perfectly all
right."
"Not at all all right. That young Briggs is--"
"Of course he is. What did you expect? Let's go indoors to the
fire and Mrs. Fisher. She's all by herself.
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