The Guinea Stamp Read Online Free PDF Page B

ladies. The senior officer looked gratified.
    “No bamboozling me, though, my dear chap,” he answered, with a shake of his head. “You prefer Miss Iceberg, I can see! Well, no hard feelings, though I don’t think there’s much hope for you, I’m bound to say. Got a suitor already lined up, by what I hear.”
    Captain Jackson saw Masterman’s hand tighten on his glass, but the younger officer said nothing.
    “That old fool Feniton’s godson, Lord Cholcombe’s son,” continued the Colonel. “The dearest wish of Miss Joanna’s dead parents, according to m’wife.”
    Masterman knew that his Colonel’s wife was an inveterate gossip; there was no real harm in the lady, but she had a nose for news, and liked to be first with it.
    “Lord Cholcombe,” repeated Masterman, evenly; and Captain Jackson silently paid tribute to the man’s self-control. “I don’t think I am acquainted—”
    “Mostly lives in London,” explained the older man. “Haven’t met him myself, but know him by repute, of course. Got a house in Exeter which the son uses from time to time. He’s a rare dandy, by all accounts.”
    “Who, sir? Lord Cholcombe?”
    “No, the boy. One of these fellers who considers the choosing of a waistcoat matter for a se’enight’s debate—no use for ‘em, myself. Like a man to look well turned out, but no sense in overdoing it!”
    Masterman agreed, and offered to refill his superior officer’s glass. The fire was by now blazing merrily. Warmth and the wine had mellowed the Colonel’s mood, and combined to loosen his tongue a little.
    “Queer upbringing that filly’s had,” he said reflectively, taking the fresh glass from Masterman’s hand. “Parents died when she was in swaddling clothes, pretty near, and been under old Lady Feniton’s influence ever since, except for a few years when she managed to escape to one of these ladies’ seminaries. The old battle axe stuffs her head full of the pottiest notions, according to m’wife. Talks a deal about remembering her rank, and not marrying beneath her. You’d think Feniton was at least an earl, instead of only a baronet. Disappointed in not having a boy left to carry on the name, shouldn’t wonder. Can sympathize—old family—damn shame Geoffrey being snuffed out suddenly like that, before he could get an heir.”
    “It was a coaching accident, wasn’t it?” asked Masterman. “I remember my father speaking of it when I was a boy. In those days, as you know, we lived not far from Shalbeare House.”
    Kellaway nodded. “Sad business—both killed instantly. All for the best, though, perhaps, in a way. Old lady never liked the bride—what was her name? Forget now. Anyway, it don’t signify. She always felt that Geoffrey had married beneath him.”
    “I believe I remember my father saying she was a clergyman’s daughter.”
    “That’s right. Genteel enough, but not the brilliant match Lady Feniton had hoped for. No doubt that’s why the old lady’s so set on the nobility for Miss Joanna.”
    “Perhaps it may happen that the young lady will have notions of her own on the subject,” said Masterman, diffidently.
    “Eh? Shouldn’t think so: seems tractable enough, in her cold way. Anyway, take a brave girl to stand up to the old lady! She’s one who knows what she wants, all right!”
    Masterman agreed. It was evident to the unseen watcher that he did not like the conversation.
    There was a tap on the door of the coffee room, and Nobby entered, escorted by the small serving wench. They bore the remnants of a large meat pasty, some cold ham and sliced bread, together with plates and cutlery. This they proceeded to set before the gentlemen with as much despatch as possible.
    “Ah!” exclaimed the Colonel, with satisfaction, as the door closed behind them. “This is more like it! But we mustn’t settle ourselves in too snugly, my boy—more important still, mustn’t let the men do so! If we mean to seek shelter for them in the