Mr. Crampton then, remembering that he wanted a map in the next
room, sprang into it, left the door half open in coming out, and was
in time to receive Her Ladyship with smiling face as she, ushered by
Mr. Strongitharm, majestically sailed in.



CHAPTER III.



BEHIND THE SCENES.

In issuing from and leaving open the door of the inner room, Mr.
Crampton had bestowed upon Mr. Perkins a look so peculiarly arch,
that even he, simple as he was, began to imagine that some mystery
was about to be cleared up, or some mighty matter to be discussed.
Presently he heard the well-known voice of Lady Gorgon in
conversation with his uncle. What could their talk be about? Mr.
Perkins was dying to know, and--shall we say it?--advanced to the
door on tiptoe and listened with all his might.

Her Ladyship, that Juno of a woman, if she had not borrowed Venus's
girdle to render herself irresistible, at least had adopted a
tender, coaxing, wheedling, frisky tone, quite different from her
ordinary dignified style of conversation. She called Mr. Crampton a
naughty man, for neglecting his old friends, vowed that Sir George
was quite hurt at his not coming to dine--nor fixing a day when he
would come--and added, with a most engaging ogle, that she had three
fine girls at home, who would perhaps make an evening pass