‘You had much better have come out with Lady Bowmant and myself, Nora,’ he said; ‘we have had a rousing time, but you look as dull as ditch water. What has old Jack been saying to you to quench your spirits?’ ‘Your dear particular friend has not been saying anything at all to me, Ilfracombe. I have not set eyes on him. He did not keep his appointment.’ The earl suspended his operations of dressing, and turned round to regard her with surprise. ‘Jack didn’t turn up?’ he ejaculated. ‘Why, what on earth can be the reason?’ ‘I don’t know,’ replied Nora; ‘and what’s more, I don’t care.’ ‘Ah, my lady, that sounds very much like pique,’ exclaimed her husband, laughing; ‘but for Jack not to keep an appointment with you, I cannot understand such a thing. I hope nothing’s the matter with him.’ ‘What should be the matter, Mr Portland’s like a bad halfpenny. He’s bound to come back again.’ ‘And how did you spend your afternoon then, darling?’ asked the earl; ‘wasn’t it very stupid? How I wish you had come with us instead.’ ‘_I_ don’t, Ilfracombe, for I have passed a very eventful afternoon. There is no time to tell you of it now, but you shall hear all of it when we find ourselves alone again. There’s the second gong; we must go down. Now we shall hear what Mr Portland has to say for himself.’ They heard it as soon as they entered the drawing-room, where their hosts were waiting for them. ‘Our party will be smaller than usual to-night, I am sorry to tell you,’ said Lady Bowmant. ‘I have just had a note from Mr Portland to say he has been called away on important business till to-morrow. Isn’t it extraordinary? He doesn’t say where, or by whom? When did he get the summons? That is what puzzles me. He said nothing about it at luncheon. In fact, he settled to take a walk with you, if I am not mistaken, Lady Ilfracombe.’ ‘Yes, but he did not come,’ answered Nora. ‘I never knew old Jack to do such a thing in his life before,’ remarked the earl, ‘he is generally so punctual in his engagements. And as for business, why, he has no business, except pleasure. The idlest, most unpractical man I ever knew. What _can_ the matter be? I am quite curious to learn.’ ‘Well, we must manage to do without him to-night, at all events,’ said Lady Bowmant, who appeared to be rather offended by the breach of politeness. ‘I think Mr Portland might have given us a little more notice, but it is really of no consequence.’ ‘And he might have let my wife know he couldn’t walk with her, instead of leaving her to cool her heels in the field waiting for him half the afternoon. I shall have a crow to pluck with Master Jack for this to-morrow.’ ‘Oh, Ilfracombe! do you really think it is worth while?’ exclaimed Nora. ‘I hope none of you will let him imagine that his absence was of the slightest consequence.’ ‘It becomes of consequence when he treats you with so little ceremony,’ replied the earl, as he offered his arm to his hostess to conduct her to the dining-room.