The Young Duke

  CHAPTER XII.

  _An Impromptu Excursion_

  'WE CERTAINLY must have a masque,' said the young Duke, as he threwhimself into his chair, satisfied with his performance.

  'You must open Hauteville with one,' said Mrs. Dallington.

  'A capital idea; but we will practise at Dacre first.'

  'When is Hauteville to be finished?' asked Mrs. Dallington. 'I shallreally complain if we are to be kept out of it much longer. I believe Iam the only person in the Riding who has not been there.'

  'I have been there,' said the Duke, 'and am afraid I must go again; forSir Carte has just come down for a few days, and I promised to meet him.It is a sad bore. I wish it were finished.'

  'Take me with you,' said Mrs. Dallington; 'take us all, and let us makea party.'

  'An admirable idea,' exclaimed the young Duke, with a brighteningcountenance. 'What admirable ideas you have, Mrs. Dallington! This is,indeed, turning business into pleasure! What says our hostess?'

  'I will join you.'

  'To-morrow, then?' said the Duke.

  'To-morrow! You are rapid!'

  'Never postpone, never prepare: that is your own rule. To-morrow,to-morrow, all must go.'

  'Papa, will you go to-morrow to Hauteville?'

  'Are you serious?'

  'Yes,' said Miss Dacre: 'we never postpone; we never prepare.'

  'But do not you think a day, at least, had better intervene?' urged Mr.Dacre; 'we shall be unexpected.'

  'I vote for to-morrow,' said the Duke.

  'To-morrow!' was the universal exclamation. Tomorrow was carried.

  'I will write to Blanche at once,' said the Duke.

  Mrs. Dallington Vere ran for the writing materials, and his Graceindicted the following pithy note:--

  'Half-past Ten, Castle Dacre.

  'Dear Sir Carte,

  'Our party here intend to honour Hauteville with a visit to-morrow, andanticipate the pleasure of viewing the improvements, with yourself fortheir cicerone. Let Rawdon know immediately of this. They tell me herethat the sun rises about six. As we shall not be with you till noon, Ihave no doubt your united energies will be able to make all requisitepreparations. We may be thirty or forty. Believe me, dear Sir Carte,

  'Your faithful servant,

  'St. James.

  'Carlstein bears this, which you will receive in an hour. Let me have aline by return.'