"And I suppose Miss Wade will be with her? It seems to me, Caterham, that the best plan would be for you to ring the bell and ask your butler to find her, saying that I wish to speak to her for a few minutes." Lord Caterham pressed the bell obediently. "Oh, Tredwell," he said, when the bell was answered, "just find her ladyship, will you? Tell her Mr. Lomax is anxious to speak to her in the drawing-room." "Yes, my lord." Tredwell withdrew. George seized Lord Caterham's hand and wrung it warmly, much to the latter's discomfort. "A thousand thanks," he said. "I hope soon to bring you good news." He hastened from the room. "Well," said Lord Caterham. "Well!" And after a long pause: "What _has_ Bundle been up to?" The door opened again. "Mr. Eversleigh, my lord." As Bill hastened in, Lord Caterham caught his hand and spoke earnestly. "Hullo, Bill. You're looking for Lomax, I suppose? Look here, if you want to do a good turn, hurry into the drawing-room and tell him the Cabinet have called an immediate meeting, or get him away somehow. It's really not fair to let the poor devil make an ass of himself all for some silly girl's prank." "I've not come for Codders," said Bill. "Didn't know he was here. It's Bundle I want to see. Is she anywhere about?" "You can't see her," said Lord Caterham. "Not just now, at any rate. George is with her." "Well--what does it matter?" "I think it does rather," said Lord Caterham. "He's probably spluttering horribly at this minute, and we mustn't do anything to make it worse for him." "But what is he saying?" "Heavens knows," said Lord Caterham. "A lot of damned nonsense, anyway. Never say too much, that was always my motto. Grab the girl's hand and let events take their course." Bill stared at him. "But look here, sir, I'm in a hurry. I must talk to Bundle--" "Well, I don't suppose you'll have to wait long. I must confess I'm rather glad to have you here with me--I suppose Lomax will insist on coming back and talking to me when it's all over." "When what's all over? What is Lomax supposed to be doing?" "Hush," said Lord Caterham. "He's proposing." "Proposing? Proposing what?" "Marriage. To Bundle. Don't ask me why. I suppose he's come to what they call the dangerous age. I can't explain it any other way." "Proposing to Bundle? The dirty swine. At his age." Bill's face grew crimson. "He says he's in the prime of life," said Lord Caterham cautiously. "He? Why, he's decrepit--senile! I--" Bill positively choked. "Not at all," said Lord Caterham coldly. "He's five years younger than I am." "Of all the damned cheek! Codders and Bundle! A girl like Bundle! You oughtn't to have allowed it." "I never interfere," said Lord Caterham. "You ought to have told him what you thought of him." "Unfortunately modern civilization rules that out," said Lord Caterham regretfully. "In the Stone Age now--but, dear me, I suppose even then I shouldn't be able to do it--being a small man."