But I
happen to know that my sister does like you immensely.
So does my mother," he added, with another little smile.
He continued to regard Thorpe's face, but there was
an increasing uncertainty in his glance. "You've put
on flesh, haven't you?" he ventured, after a brief pause.
There was the implication in his voice and manner that he
observed changes which disconcerted him.
"Not much, I guess," replied the other, carelessly.
"I've been sticking to the City pretty closely. That's all.
There's nothing that a fortnight's rest won't put right.
I should like it first-rate to have you and your sister come.
I'll let you know which place I decide upon. Very likely
you can manage to bring her at the same time that some
other ladies will be there. I expect Lady Cressage and
Miss Madden, you know."
Lord Plowden stared at his friend. "Are they back? Have
they returned to England?" he asked, confusedly.
"Oh, didn't you know?" Thorpe pursued, with an accession
of amiability. He visibly had pleasure in the disclosure
of the other's ignorance. "They've been in London for two
or three weeks. That is, Miss Madden has been taking flying
trips to see cathedrals and so on, but Lady Cressage has
stayed in town. Their long journeyings have rather done
her up. "He looked Plowden straight in the eye, and added
with an air of deliberation: "I'm rather anxious about her health.
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