On the Wednesday afternoon before the Friday on which he thought the final vote would be taken, George let himself into his own house about six o'clock, thankful to feel that he had a quiet evening before him. He had been wandering about the House of Commons and its appurtenances all day, holding colloquies with this person and that, unable to see his way--to come to any decision. And, as was now usual, he and Fontenoy had been engaged in steering out of each other's way as much as possible. As he went upstairs he noticed a letter lying on the step. He took it up, and found an open note, which he read, at first without thinking of it: "My dear Lady,--Chatsworth can't be done. I have thrown my flies with great skill, but--no go! I don't seem to have influence enough in that quarter. But I have various other plans on hand. You shall have a jolly autumn, if I can manage it. There are some Scotch invitations I can certainly get you--and I should like to show you the ways of those parts. By the way, I hope your husband shoots decently. People are very particular. And you really must consult me about your gowns--I'm deuced clever at that sort of thing! I shall come to-morrow, when I have packed off my family to the country. Don't know why God made families! "Yours always, "CATHEDINE." "George! is that you?" cried Letty from above him, in a voice half angry, half hesitating; "and--and--that's my note. Please give it me at once." He finished it under her eyes, then handed it to her with formal courtesy. They walked into the drawing-room, and George shut the door. He was very pale, and Letty quailed a little. "So Cathedine has been introducing us into society," he said, "and advising you as to your gowns. Was that--quite necessary--do you think?" "It's very simple what he has been doing," was her angry reply. "You never take any pains to make life amusing to me, so I must look elsewhere, if I want society--that's all." "And it never occurs to you that you are thereby incurring an unseemly obligation to a man whom I dislike, whom I have warned you against, who bears everywhere an evil name? You think I am likely to enjoy--to put up with, even--the position of being asked on sufferance--as your appendage--provided I 'shoot decently'?" His tone of scorn, his slight figure, imperiously drawn up, sent her a challenge, which she answered with sullen haste. "That's all nonsense, of course! And he wouldn't be rude to you if you weren't always rude to him." "Rude to him!" He smiled. "But now, let us get to the bottom of this thing. Did Cathedine get us the cards for Clarence House--and that Goodwood invitation?" Letty made no answer. She stared at him defiantly, twisting and untwisting the ribbons of her blue dress. George reddened hotly. His personal pride in matters of social manners was one of his strongest characteristics.