第35章

'What is a man to say? If you will talk about your wine, I can only tell you what I think.Any man may get good wine,--that is if he can afford to pay the price,--but one isn't out of ten who knows how to put it on the table.' Dick felt this to be very hard.When a man pays 100s a dozen for his champagne, and then gives it to guests like Lord Mongrober, who are not even expected to return the favour, then that man ought to be allowed to talk about his wine without fear of rebuke.One doesn't have an agreement to that effect written down in parchment and sealed;but it is as well understood and ought to be as faithfully kept as any legal contract.Dick, who could on occasions be awakened to a touch of manliness, gave the bottle a shove and threw himself back in his chair.'If you ask me, I can only tell you,'

repeated Lord Mongrober.

'I don't believe you ever had a bottle of wine put before you in better order in all your life,' said Dick.His lordship's face became very square and very red as he looked round at his host.

'And as for talking about my wine, of course I talk to a man about what he understands.I talk to Monogram about pigeons, to Tom there about politics, to 'Apperton and Lopez about the price of consols, and to you about wine.If I asked you what you thought of the last new book, your lordship would be a little surprised.' Lord Mongrober grunted and looked redder and squarer that ever; but he made no attempt at reply, and the victory was evidently left with Dick,--very much the general exaltation of his character.And he was proud of himself.'We had a little tiff, me and Mongrober,' he said to his wife that night.'He's a very good fellow, and of course he's a lord and all that.But he has to be put down occasionally, and by George, I did it tonight.

You ask Lopez.'

There were two drawing-rooms upstairs opening into each other, but still distinct.Emily had escaped into the back room, avoiding the gushing sentiments and equivocal morals of Lady Eustace and Mrs Leslie,--and here she was followed by Ferdinand Lopez.Mr Wharton was in the front room, and though on entering it he did look furtively for his daughter, he was ashamed to wander about in order that he might watch her.And there were others in the back room,--Dick and Monogram standing on the rug, and the elder Mrs Roby seated in a corner,--so that there was nothing peculiar in the position of the two lovers.

'Must I understand,' said he, 'that I am banished from Manchester Square?'

'Has papa banished you?'

'That's what I want you to tell me.'

'I know you had an interview with him, Mr Lopez.'

'Yes, I had.'

'And you must know best what he told you.'

'He would explain himself better to you than he did to me.'

'I doubt that very much.Papa, when he has anything to say generally says it plainly.However, I do think that he did intend to banish you.I do not know why I should not tell you the truth.'

'I do not know either.'

'I think he did--intend to banish you.'

'And you?'

'I shall be guided by him in all things,--as far as I can.'

'Then I am banished by you also?'

'I did not say so.But if papa says that you are not to come there, of course I cannot ask you to do so.'

'But I may see you here?'

'Mr Lopez, I will not be asked some questions.I will not indeed.'