"But I gathered you
were Irish, and Jack Armytage came from Yorkshire."
"My mother is Irish, and we live in Ireland now. I was born there.
But father, none the less, was John Armytage's brother."
He looked at her with increased interest, marking the straight,
supple lines of her, and the handsome, high-bred face. His
lordship, remember, never lacked an appreciative eye for a fine
woman. "So you're Jack Armytage's niece. Give me news of him, my
dear."
She did so. Jack Armytage was well and prospering, had made a rich
marriage and retired from the Blues many years ago to live at
Northampton. He listened with interest, and thus out of his boyhood
friendship for her uncle, which of late years he had had no
opportunity to express, sprang there and then a kindness for the
niece. Her own personal charms may have contributed to it, for the
great soldier was intensely responsive to the appeal of beauty.
They reached the terrace. Lady O'Moy was nowhere in sight. But
Lord Wellington was too much engrossed in his discovery to be
troubled.
"My dear," he said, "if I can serve you at any timer both for Jack's
sake and your own, I hope that you will let me know of it."
She looked at him a moment, and he saw her colour come and go,
arguing a sudden agitation.
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