It is a sad bore. I wish it were finished.'
'Take me with you,' said Mrs. Dallington; 'take us all, and let us make
a party.'
'An admirable idea,' exclaimed the young Duke, with a brightening
countenance. 'What admirable ideas you have, Mrs. Dallington! This is,
indeed, turning business into pleasure! What says our hostess?'
'I will join you.'
'To-morrow, then?' said the Duke.
'To-morrow! You are rapid!'
'Never postpone, never prepare: that is your own rule. To-morrow,
to-morrow, all must go.'
'Papa, will you go to-morrow to Hauteville?'
'Are you serious?'
'Yes,' said Miss Dacre: 'we never postpone; we never prepare.'
'But do not you think a day, at least, had better intervene?' urged Mr.
Dacre; 'we shall be unexpected.'
'I vote for to-morrow,' said the Duke.
'To-morrow!' was the universal exclamation. Tomorrow was carried.
'I will write to Blanche at once,' said the Duke.
Mrs. Dallington Vere ran for the writing materials, and his Grace
indicted the following pithy note:--
'Half-past Ten, Castle Dacre.
'Dear Sir Carte,
'Our party here intend to honour Hauteville with a visit to-morrow, and
anticipate the pleasure of viewing the improvements, with yourself for
their cicerone.
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