At the beginning of the evening
he had secured a dance from her, and now, all his duties for the
evening being over, he went to get it. Bellthorp had long since
returned to Mrs Riller and flirtation, and Kitty had been dancing
with a tall young man, with unsteady legs and an eye-glass that
would not stick in his eye. She did not particularly care about Mr
Jarper, with his effeminate little ways, but was quite glad when he
came to carry her off from the unsteady legs and the eye-glass. The
dance was the Lancers; but Kitty declared she would not dance it as
she felt weary, so made Mr Jarper take her to supper. Barty was
delighted, as he was hungry himself, so they secured a pleasant
little nook, and Barty foraged for provisions.
'You know all about this house,' said Kitty, when she saw how
successful the young man was in getting nice things.
'Oh, yes,' murmured Barty, quite delighted, 'I know most of the
houses in Melbourne--I know yours.'
'Mrs Villiers'?' asked Kitty.
Barty nodded.
'Used to go down there a lot when Mr Frettlby lived there,' he said,
sipping his wine. 'I know every room in it.'
'You'd be invaluable as a burglar,' said Kitty, a little
contemptuously, as she looked at his slim figure.
'I dare say,' replied Barty, who took the compliment in good faith.
'Some night I'll climb up to your room and give you a fright.'
'Shows how much you know,' retorted Miss Marchurst.
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