Everybody around
him seemed to be looking forward to pleasant leisure doings in the
country. Men talked about grouse, and of the ladies at the houses to
which they were going and of the people whom they were to meet. Lady
Laura had said nothing of her own movements for the early autumn, and
no invitation had come to him to go to the Earl's country house. He
had already felt that every one would depart and that he would be
left,--and this had made him uncomfortable. What was he to do with
the invitation from Mr. Kennedy? He disliked the man, and had told
himself half a dozen times that he despised him. Of course he must
refuse it. Even for the sake of the scenery, and the grouse, and the
pleasant party, and the feeling that going to Loughlinter in August
would be the proper sort of thing to do, he must refuse it! But it
occurred to him at last that he would call in Portman Square before
he wrote his note.
"Of course you will go," said Lady Laura, in her most decided tone.
"And why?"
"In the first place it is civil in him to ask you, and why should you
be uncivil in return?"
"There is nothing uncivil in not accepting a man's invitation," said
Phineas.
"We are going," said Lady Laura, "and I can only say that I shall be
disappointed if you do not go too.
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