"
As Harold seemed dumb with amazement, I asked what he could possibly
have been expected to do for the good of the family, and Eustace
mumbled out something about that supposed Calldron barony, which
seemed to have turned his head, and I answered sharply that Sir James
had nothing at all to do with reviving peerages; besides, if this one
had ever existed, it would have been Harold's. I had much better
have held my tongue. Eustace never recovered that allegation. That
day, too, was the very first in which it had been impossible for
Harold to avoid receiving marked preference, and the jealousy
hitherto averted by Eustace's incredible vanity had begun to awaken.
Moreover, that there had been some marked rebuff from Viola was also
plain, for, as the Arked carriage was seen coming round, and I said
we must go in to the Tracys, Eustace muttered, "Nasty little stuck-up
thing; catch me making up to her again!"
It was just as well that Harold did not hear, having, at sight of the
carriage, gone off to fetch a favourite cup, the mending of which he
had contrived for Viola at the potteries. When we came into the
drawing-room, I found Lady Diana and Mrs. Alison with their heads
very close together over some samples of Welsh wool, and Dermot lying
on the sofa, his hands clasped behind his head, and his sister
hanging over him, with her cheeks of the colour that made her
beautiful.
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