"
"Oh, how could they?" she cried, smitten with a great pity. "How could
they be so stupid and cruel? I know all about it. He told me yesterday.
He must be bitterly disappointed."
Austin did not tell her of Lord Banstead's tactful explanation of the
committee's action. He was a fastidious man, and did not care to soil
his mind with the memory of Banstead's existence. If he had described
the scene, the young man's vulgarity, his own attempt at conciliation,
and Dick's passionate outburst--the course of the drama that was shaping
itself might have been altered. But the stars in their courses were
fighting against Dick. Austin only said:
"If we get him this appointment, it will be ample compensation, anyhow."
"Please don't say 'if,'" exclaimed Viviette, "we must get it."
"Unless Lord Overton has already found a man, which is unlikely, owing
to the general suspension of business at Whitsuntide, it's practically
a certainty."
"When shall we know?"
"My letter's written and is waiting for the post.
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