Next came Napier, who, with his usual ill-breeding, began to whisper in Julia's ear. However, I would have put up with more than that to have been of use to her.
Lord Kinnaird paid me a sort of flying visit; but, seeing Napier so deeply engaged on one side and Lambton so tender on the other, he had the impudence to whisper in my ear, "_Mademoiselle Harriette, il ne faut pas le corrompre_," and then left us.
His lordship was overheard by Lambton, who began to fidget about and redden, and appear very uneasy.
"What is the matter, Mr. Lambton?" asked Julia.
"I am not much of a Frenchman," muttered Lambton; "but I perfectly understood what Lord Kinnaird said, and I think it was extremely impertinent."
Lambton's particular friend, the Honourable Thomas Dundas, now joined us. I immediately related this mighty affair to him.
Lambton declared that, whatever his appearance might be, he had no idea of being treated like a child by any man, seeing that he was of age.
"Yes," interrupted I, "of age to be wiser than to take offence where, very evidently, no offence was meant. Lord Kinnaird only knows you by sight."
"The less reason for his taking such a liberty," answered the little man, with much impatient dignity.
While Dundas was endeavouring to calm his irritated friend, the curtain dropped, and the Duke of Leinster hurried upstairs to be in time to conduct me into the round room. Dundas and Lambton followed us, the latter still grumbling and very sulky.
Lord Kinnaird passed us again, and nodded good-naturedly as he chaperoned some ladies to their carriage. Lambton spoke loudly at him as he passed, saying he did not consider himself a subject for ridicule, or in danger of being corrupted, or young enough to endure the accusation.
Lord Kinnaird heard nothing as applied to himself, never having dreamed of such a thing as insulting or picking a quarrel with young Lambton. This both I and Mr. Dundas took pains to impress on his mind; but the peevish, fretful creature refused to hear reason.
Again his lordship passed us, and again Lambton growled at him, with his eyes fixed on his own well-blacked shoes.
"Good heavens!" I exclaimed, "is this what you Opposition gentlemen call spirit, growling at a man between your teeth for an imagined insult? Why growl or be sulky if nobody has offered you any insult? And if they have, why do you not address them with firm, manly civility, to request an explanation or apology?"