She put the paper into her basket, saying, in a low tone, 'Thank you,
Rupert; I shall keep it as a memorial of several things, some of
which may do me good; but I fear it will always put me in mind that
cavaliers of the present day would have little objection to such
battles as I was speaking of, even with women, if this poor old
gentleman did not retain a small degree of vitality.'
Rupert was vexed, both at being set down in a way he did not expect,
and because he was really sorry that his wounded self-conceit bad led
him to do what he saw had mortified Elizabeth more than he had
intended.
'What is it? what is it?' asked Katherine.
'Never mind, Kate,' said Rupert.
'Well, but what fun is it?' persisted Katherine.
'Only downright nonsense,' said Rupert, looking down, and
unconsciously drawing very strange devices on the blotting paper,
'unworthy the attention of so wise a lady.'
'Only the dry bones of an ill-natured joke,' said Lady Merton, who
had seen all that passed, from the other end of the table. She spoke
so low as only to be heard by her son; but Elizabeth saw his colour
deepen, and, as he rose and went to the piano, she felt sorry for
him, and soon found an opportunity of reminding him that he had
promised to draw something for Edward's scrap-book, and asked him if
he would do so now.
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