The Baronet complied with this invitation, as much, perhaps, in consequence of the medium through which the Captain intended to convey his warlike counsels, as for the pleasure with which he anticipated the result of these counsels themselves. He followed the military step of his leader, whose stride was more stiff, and his form more perpendicular, when exalted by the consciousness of an approaching quarrel, to the smoking-room, where, sighing as he lighted his cigar, Sir Bingo prepared to listen to the words of wisdom and valour, as they should flow in mingled stream from the lips of Captain MacTurk. Meanwhile the rest of the company joined the ladies. "Here has been Clara," said Lady Penelope to Mr. Mowbray; "here has been Miss Mowbray among us, like the ray of a sun which does but dazzle and die." "Ah, poor Clara," said Mowbray; "I thought I saw her thread her way through the crowd a little while since, but I was not sure." "Well," said Lady Penelope, "she has asked us all up to Shaws-Castle on Thursday, to a _dejeuner a la fourchette_--I trust you confirm your sister's invitation, Mr. Mowbray?" "Certainly, Lady Penelope," replied Mowbray; "and I am truly glad Clara has had the grace to think of it--How we shall acquit ourselves is a different question, for neither she nor I are much accustomed to play host or hostess." "Oh! it will be delightful, I am sure," said Lady Penelope; "Clara has a grace in every thing she does; and you, Mr. Mowbray, can be a perfectly well-bred gentleman--when you please." "That qualification is severe--Well--good manners be my speed--I will certainly please to do my best, when I see your ladyship at Shaws-Castle, which has received no company this many a day.--Clara and I have lived a wild life of it, each in their own way." "Indeed, Mr. Mowbray," said Lady Binks, "if I might presume to speak--I think you do suffer your sister to ride about a little too much without an attendant. I know Miss Mowbray rides as woman never rode before, but still an accident may happen." "An accident?" replied Mowbray--"Ah, Lady Binks! accidents happen as frequently when ladies _have_ attendants as when they are without them." Lady Binks, who, in her maiden state, had cantered a good deal about these woods under Sir Bingo's escort, coloured, looked spiteful, and was silent. "Besides," said John Mowbray, more lightly, "where is the risk, after all? There are no wolves in our woods to eat up our pretty Red-Riding Hoods; and no lions either--except those of Lady Penelope's train." "Who draw the car of Cybele," said Mr. Chatterly. Lady Penelope luckily did not understand the allusion, which was indeed better intended than imagined. "Apropos!" she said; "what have you done with the great lion of the day? I see Mr. Tyrrel nowhere--Is he finishing an additional bottle with Sir Bingo?"