"How about your ball?" was his next question, "or Clarence's ball, as you don't seem to take much interest in it, ma'am? You are afraid of being brought in contact with the iron pots, eh? You might crack or go to pieces, who knows, and what would become of me, a wretched widower." Mr. Copperhead himself laughed loudly at this joke, which did not excite any mirth from the others, and then he repeated his question, "How about the ball?"
"The invitations are all sent out, Mr. Copperhead; ninety-five--I--I mean a hundred and thirty-five. I--I beg your pardon, they were in two lots," answered the poor woman nervously. "A hundred and thirty-eight--and there is--a few more--"
"Take your time, ma'am, take your time, we'll get at the truth at last," said her husband; and he laid down his paper and looked at her. He was not angry nor impatient. The twinkle in his eye was purely humorous. Her stumblings amused him, and her nervousness. But oddly enough, the most furious impatience could not have more deeply disconcerted her.
"There are a few more--some old friends of mine," she went on, confused. "They were once rather--kind--took an interest; that is--"
"Oh, the baronet and his daughters," said Mr. Copperhead, "by all means let's have the baronet and his daughters. Though as for their taking an interest--if you had not been a rich man's wife, ma'am, living in a grand house in Portland Place--"
"It was not now," she said, hurriedly. "I do not suppose that any one takes an interest--in me now--"
Mr. Copperhead laughed, and nodded his head. "Not many, ma'am, I should think--not many. You women must make up your minds to that. It's all very well to take an interest in a pretty girl; but when you come to a certain age--Well, let's proceed, the baronet--"
"Ah, there's two girls! that's for you, Clarence, my boy. I thought there must be a motive. Think that fellow a good _parti_, eh? And I would not say they were far wrong if he behaves himself. Make a note of the baronet's daughter, young man. Lord, what a world it is!" said Mr. Copperhead, reflectively. "I should not wonder if you had been scheming, too."
"I would not for the world!" cried the poor little woman, roused for once. "I would not for anything interfere with a marriage. That is the last thing you need fear from me. Whether it was a girl I was fond of, or a girl I disliked--so long as she was Clarence's choice. Oh, I know the harm that is done by other people's meddling--nothing, nothing, would induce me to interfere."