Kitty, however, did not in the least mind being left to her
own devices, for being an extremely pretty girl she soon had plenty
of young men round her anxious to be introduced. She filled her
programme rapidly and kept two valses for Vandeloup, as she knew he
was going to be present, but he as yet had not made his appearance.
He arrived about a quarter past ten o'clock, and was strolling
leisurely up to the house, when he saw Pierre, standing amid a
number of idlers at the gate. The dumb man stepped forward, and
Vandeloup paused with a smile on his handsome lips, though he was
angry enough at the meeting.
'Money again, I suppose?' he said to Pierre, in a low voice, in
French; 'don't trouble me now, but come to my rooms to-morrow.'
The dumb man nodded, and Vandeloup walked leisurely up the path.
Then Pierre followed him right up to the steps which led to the
house, saw him enter the brilliantly-lighted hall, and then hid
himself in the shrubs which grew on the edge of the lawn. There, in
close hiding, he could hear the sound of music and voices, and could
see the door of the fernery wide open, and caught glimpses of dainty
dresses and bare shoulders within.
Vandeloup, quite ignorant that his friend was watching the house,
put on his gloves leisurely, and walked in search of his hostess.
Mrs Meddlechip glanced approvingly at Vandeloup as he came up, for
he was extremely good-looking, and good-looking men were Mrs
Meddlechip's pet weakness.
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