"Your ears are sharp enough, anyhow, Toney," said Sir Evas. "By the way, what's the matter with you this evening? You are pale--most unusual!"
"Nothing--but a bit anxious about this wedding. There's many a slip, isn't there, uncle?"
"Humph, you've got the man and the woman; not much chance of slipping. You're going too fast, Toney, that's what it is."
"Gracious stars! Fast! I'd like to go faster. Stone House will keep us busy, uncle, won't it, and--have you thought about the lions and what you'll say? You mean biz, don't you?"
"I shall have to deviate a bit from the path of truth, Toney, but I'll manage it. Melina, I must go to town to-morrow and--sleep there, on business."
"On Antonia's business, I suppose?" said Lady Cove tartly.
"No, oh no--forgot a few things I had to say to Lewis Waycott, who's off after lions. I'll return early on Friday."
"I hope you will, there are plenty of neglected things on your _own_ estate, Evas, but of course----="
Happily the two great musicians came in together, and Lady Dove recognising that she would be envied by the musical portion of the county, turned on a smile of welcome, whilst Mr. Russell hastened to make himself agreeable, but in reality Lady Dove felt angry because Toney was the centre of attraction this evening.
"I should never have dared to suggest it," murmured Frank Weston to his friend.
"Nonsense! Why didn't you? Miss Whitburn said it was my duty, and of course my pleasure, and that your wedding could not take place without me----"
"In a sort of way it was Jeanie who suggested it to me," said Toney. "I thought our organist would do, but she looked so reproachfully at me, and said, 'I don't want any music, thank you--short of Dr. Mayo--Frank would run away if he heard our organist!'"
"Do you always get what you want, Miss Whitburn?" said Dr. Mayo.
Poor Toney turned pale but no one noticed this.
"I like other people to have what they like, and I sort of try to get it for them, that's all."
"Ask Weston to sing, Miss Whitburn, and I will accompany him. Weston's voice is something out of the common, but he has refused to sing for some years."
"Do," said Toney, "I think I like singing best, especially when you can hear the words."
Then followed a rare musical treat, till Toney, saying she was very sleepy, excused herself and went to bed.