'I suppose it was the club, as usual, that made you late. Do you know, I have a great objection to clubs.' He nodded sympathetically. 'That is to say, I thoroughly approve of your belonging to several. I'm quite aware that in your position it's the right thing to do, but I can't understand why you should ever go to them, having two houses of your own. And that reminds me, we are going down to Redlands tomorrow, are we not? I've had a little' (she lowered her voice) 'lumbago; a mere passing touch, that's all--and the change will cure me. I think you neglect Redlands, Charles. You seem to me to regard your responsibilities as a landowner with indifference bordering on aversion. You never seem amused down there--unless we have friends.' 'We'll go tomorrow if you like,' said he. 'That's satisfactory.' 'I can easily put off the Duke,' he said thoughtfully, as he poured out more wine. She sprang up like a startled hare. 'Put off the ... what are you talking about?' 'Oh, nothing. The Duke of St Leonard's is giving a dinner at the club tomorrow, and I was going. But I can arrange to get out of it.' 'Charles! I never heard of anything so absurd! You must certainly go to the dinner. How like you! How casual of you! For a mere trifle to offend the man who might be of the greatest use to you--politically.' 'Politically! What do you mean? And it isn't a trifle when you've set your mind on going away tomorrow. I know you hate to change your plans, my dear.' 'Certainly I do, but I shall not change my plans. I shall go down tomorrow, and you can join me on Friday.' 'Oh, I don't think I'll do that,' said Sir Charles, rather half-heartedly. 'Why should you take the journey alone?' 'But I shall not be alone. I shall have Danvers with me. You need have no anxiety. I beg of you, I _insist_, that you stay, and go to this dinner.' 'Well, of course, if you make a point of it--' She smiled, well pleased at having got her own way, as she supposed. 'That's right, Charles. Then you'll come down on Friday.' 'By the early train,' said Sir Charles. 'No, I should suggest your coming by the later train. It's more convenient to meet you at the station.' 'Very well--as you like,' said he, inwardly a little astonished, as always, at the easy working of the simple old plan, suggesting what one does not wish to do in order to be persuaded into what one does. 'And, by the way, I haven't heard you speak of Hyacinth lately. You had better go and see her. A little while ago you were always wasting your time about her, and I spoke to you about it, Charles--I think?' 'I think you did,' said he. 'But, though at one time I was growing simply tired of her name, I didn't mean that you need not look after her at _all_. Go and see her, and explain to her I can't possibly accompany you. Tell her I've got chronic lumbago very badly indeed, and I'm obliged to go to the country, but I shall certainly make a point of calling on her when I return. You won't forget, Charles?'