Withdrawn from all chance in public life of enforcing his
views on others, the natural aristocrat within him was forced to find
some expression.
Each year, towards the end of July, he placed his house at the service
of Lord Valleys, who found it a convenient centre for attending
Goodwood.
It was on the morning after the Duchess of Gloucester's Ball, that he
received this note:
"VALLEYS HOUSE.
"DEAREST UNCLE DENNIS,
"May I come down to you a little before time and rest? London is so
terribly hot. Mother has three functions still to stay for, and I shall
have to come back again for our last evening, the political one--so I
don't want to go all the way to Monkland; and anywhere else, except with
you, would be rackety. Eustace looks so seedy. I'll try and bring him,
if I may. Granny is terribly well.
"Best love, dear, from your
"BABS."
The same afternoon she came, but without Miltoun, driving up from the
station in a fly. Lord Dennis met her at the gate; and, having kissed
her, looked at her somewhat anxiously, caressing his white peaked beard.
He had never yet known Babs sick of anything, except when he took her
out in John Bogle's boat. She was certainly looking pale, and her hair
was done differently--a fact disturbing to one who did not discover it.
Slipping his arm through hers he led her out into a meadow still full
of buttercups, where an old white pony, who had carried her in the Row
twelve years ago, came up to them and rubbed his muzzle against
her waist.
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