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werenodoubt(ormightbe)veryexcellentpeople
intheirway,andasamatteroffactheoften
recognisedtheirexistencebygoingtotheopera,tothe
privateviewoftheAcademy,ortotheplay,and
hetookaveryconsiderableprideofproprietorship
inhisownadmirablecollectionoffamilyportraits.But
thenthosewerepicturesofCombers;Reynoldsand
Romneyandtherestofthemhadenjoyedtheprivilege
ofperpetuatingontheircanvasesthesebig,finemen
andcharmingwomen.ButthataComber–andthatone
positivelythenextLordAshbridge–shouldintend
todevotehisenergiestoanartisticcalling,andallude
tothatschemeasdoingsomethingwithhislife,was
athingasunthinkableasifthebutlerhaddeveloped
afixedideathathewasoneofus.”
Theblowwasarecentone;Michael’sletterhadonly
reachedhisfatherthismorning,andatthepresent
momentLordAshbridgewasattemptingoveracup
ofteaonthelongsouthterraceoverlookingthe
estuarytoconvey–notverysuccessfully–tohiswife
somethingofhisfeelingsonthesubject.She,
accordingtohercustom,wasdrinkingalittlehotwater
herself,andprovidingherChinesepugwithamixture
ofcreamandcrumbledrusks.Thoughthedogwas
ofundoubtedlyhighlineage,LordAshbridgerather
detestedher.
Amusicalcareer!”heexclaimed,referring
toMichael’sletter.WhatsortofacareerforaComber
isamusicalcareer?IshalltellMichaelprettyroundly
whenhearrivesthiseveningwhatIthinkofitall.
WeshallhaveFrancisnextsayingthathewants
toresign,too,andbecomeadentist.”
LadyAshbridgeconsideredthisforamomentinher
stunnedmind.
Dearme,Robert,Ihopenot,”shesaid.Idonotthink
ittheleastlikelythatFranciswoulddoanythingofthe
kind.Look,Petsyisbetter;shehasdrunkhercream
andrusksquiteup.Ithinkitwasonlytheheat.”
Hegavealittlegood-humouredgiggleoffalsetto
