CHAPTER XXIII.

_Ferdinand Receives the Most Interesting Invitation to

Dinner Ever Offered to Him_.

IS NOT it wonderful?’ said Ferdinand, when he had finished his history

to Count Mirabel.

‘Not the least,’ said the Count, ‘I never knew anything less surprising.

‘Tis exactly what I said, ‘tis the most natural termination in the

world.’

‘Ah, my dear Mirabel, you are a prophet! What a lucky fellow I am to

have such a friend as you!’

‘To be sure you are. Take some more coffee. What are you going to do

with yourself?’

‘I do not know what to do with myself. I really do not like to go

anywhere until I have heard from Montfort. I think I shall go to my

hotel’ ‘I will drive you. It is now three o’clock.’ But just at this

moment, Mr. Bevil called on the Count, and another hour disappeared.

When they were fairly in the cabriolet, there were so many places to

call at, and so many persons to see, that it was nearly six o’clock when

they reached the hotel. Ferdinand ran up stairs to see if there were any

letter from Lord Montfort. He found his lordship’s card, and also Mr.

Temple’s; they had called about half an hour ago; there was also a note.

These were its contents:--

‘Grosvenor-square, Thursday.

‘My Dear Captain Armine,

‘I have prepared myself with this note, as I fear I shall hardly be so

fortunate as to find you at home. It is only very recently that I have

learnt from Henrietta that you were in London, and I much regret to hear

that you have been so great an invalid. It is so long since we met that

I hope you will dine with us to-day; and indeed I am so anxious to see

you, that I trust, if you have unfortunately made any other engagement,

you may yet contrive to gratify my request. It is merely a family party;

you will only meet our friends from St. James’-square, and your own

circle in Brook-street. I have asked no one else, save old Lady Bellair,

and your friend Count Mirabel; and Henrietta is so anxious to secure

his presence, that I shall be greatly obliged by your exerting your

influence to induce him to accompany you, as I fear there is little hope

of finding him free.

‘Henrietta joins with me in kindest regards; and I beg you to believe

me,

‘My dear Captain Armine,

‘Most cordially yours,

‘Pelham Temple.’

‘Well, what is the matter?’ said the Count, when Ferdinand returned to

the cabriolet, with the note in his hand, and looking very agitated.

‘The strangest note!’ said Ferdinand.

‘Give it me,’ said the Count. ‘Do you call that strange? Tis the most

regular epistle I ever read; I expected it. ‘Tis an excellent fellow,

that Mr. Temple; I will certainly dine with him, and send an excuse to

that old Castlefyshe. A family party, all right; and he asks me, that

is proper. I should not wonder if it ended by my being your trustee, or

your executor, or your first child’s godfather. Ah, that good Temple

is a sensible man. I told you I would settle this business for you.

You should hear me talk to that good Temple. I open his mind. A family

party; it will be amusing! I would not miss it for a thousand pounds.

Besides, I must go to take care of you, for you will be committing all

sorts of _bêtises_. I will give you one turn in the park. Jump in, _mon

enfant_. Good Armine, excellent fellow, jump in! You see, I was right;

I am always right. But I will confess to you a secret: I never was so

right as I have been in the present case. ‘Tis the best business that

ever was!’