Babe Read Online Free PDF

at this allusion to his age, Barbara was not tardy to make the desired change, and use it at every chance. But the chief mandarin had soon taken control of the conversation again. “One would be sure of a good time at Oak Bay. The Haddons are not such loose-livers as most one meets. They would not be keeping you up till all hours, and expecting you to dance and gamble. I am very happy to see you settling down with Lady Angela, Clivedon. Bring her to call on me one day.”
    He inclined his head in obedience, without the least intention of obliging the lady, then turned hack to Barbara.
    “I hope you enjoyed the museum?”
    “Fascinating.”
    “There were a great many bucks lurking about,” Lady Graham told him. “I am not at all sure we ought to have gone unaccompanied, but no harm came of it. I gave them a hard stare, and they didn’t pester Barbara. I kept Mabel on one side of her and myself on the other. The concert was more to our taste.”
    “To your taste as well, Lady Barbara?” he inquired solicitously.
    “Delightful,” she answered, in a pinched voice. “I quite look forward to the trip to Burlington House to see the marbles tomorrow as well. Do you come with us, Lord Clivedon?” There was a menacing spark glowing deep in her eyes. “There is a matter I most particularly wish to discuss with you.”
    “What matter is that?”
    With a quick look towards the ladies she answered, “Financial. It is rather important. May I expect to see you tomorrow?”
    “Ho, Clivedon will keep a sharp eye on your money, miss. Don’t worry your head about that. He handles all my investments for me. An excellent manager.”
    “Thank you,” Clivedon said modestly. “I would be delighted to see the marbles again, but unfortunately I am otherwise engaged in the afternoon. I could come in the morning for an hour. Shall we say eleven, to allow you time to get your rest? That does not conflict with your plans, Lady Graham?” he asked politely.
    “We had certainly not planned two outings in one day. We shall be here in the morning.”
    “Eleven is fine with me. I look forward to it,” Barbara told him, with a level eye and a certain intonation in her voice that caused him to smile.
    “So do I look forward to it. I really must go now. Pray forgive the late call. Ladies.” With a bow, he was off, and as the clock had struck nine during his visit, there was no delay in getting the two lamps extinguished and getting up the stairs to bed, with the aid of one candle between the three of them.
    A second early night was not so easily lulled into sleep as a first. At ten, Barbara was still awake, and at eleven she was aware that she would not close an eye for several hours. She had ample time to work herself into a temper. Some traces of it were still with her when Clivedon called the next morning at eleven. But till she was in his curricle she uttered not a word the mandarins could object to.
    Before she said a thing, Clivedon turned to her with a rallying smile. “Do you know, you amaze me,” he said simply. “I couldn’t believe my eyes, to see you sitting with a book on your knees, and not throwing it at that woman’s head. I was sure I would find the bird had flown the coop when I stopped last night. I had already changed my team preparatory to dashing off to find you. When you didn’t even point out that Mecklenberg Square is not en route from Kent to Grosvenor Square, I was afraid they had broken your spirit. What possessed you to knuckle under so easily?”
    She hardly knew what to make of this speech. “You realize full well you have placed me in an intolerable situation, in other words, and I should like to know why you have done it, Lord Clivedon.”
    “Lord me no lords, if you please. I will be happy to explain. When a young lady has managed to tarnish her reputation, it requires some outstanding show of virtue to recover its luster. I hope a Season with Lady Graham may prove effective, with, of course, Mabel