Stafford looked up and smiled.
"Any more?"
"Oh, yes. There are the two Beltons and George Levinson, to say nothing
of Mr. Griffinberg, the railroad king."
Stafford stared at his claret glass.
"I wonder why the governor has asked such a crowd?" he said, musingly.
"A perfectly arranged symphony in colours, I call it," said Howard.
"Fashion is represented by the Fitzharfords and old Lady Clansford;
politics by Efford and the Beltons, and finance by Plaistow and Wirsch.
That Griffinberg is coming is a proof that Sir Stephen has got 'a
little railway' in his mind; there are several others who seem to have
been thrown in, not to increase weight, but to lighten it. It will be
rather amusing--a kind of menagerie which, under less skilful guidance
than Sir Stephen's, might be sure to disagree and fight."
Stafford sighed.
"Oh, you'll be all right," he said; "but I don't quite see where I
shall come in."
Howard laughed.
"My dear Stafford, there are some extremely pretty girls with whom you
can flirt, and I've no doubt some of the men will join you in your
eccentric attempts to drown yourself or break your neck. _Is_ that the
sun coming out, and is it going to clear?"
"I hope so," said Stafford, laughing. "For I prophesied a fine evening,
and a lady was weak enough to take my word for it. Let us go and rake
my father out of the library, and get him into the garden with a
cigar."
"You may venture upon such an audacity, but not I," said Howard, with
simulated fear. "I'll wait for you on the terrace."
Sir Stephen looked up with a frown as Stafford entered, and the
dark-faced secretary stared aghast at the intrusion; but Sir Stephen's
face cleared as he saw who it was.
"Back, Stafford?" he said. "What? Come into the garden--cigar?
Certainly! You can finish up, can't you, Murray? Thanks!" He looked at
his watch as they went through the hall. "I suppose some of the people
will be here before long. Did Mr. Howard show you the list? Do you know
any of them. Stafford?"
"Yes, I've met Lady Clansford and the Fitzharfords, of course; but most
of them are too great and lofty. I mean that they are celebrated
personages, out of my small track. One doesn't often meet Sir William
Plaistow and Mr. Griffinberg at at homes and afternoon teas." Sir
Stephen laughed.