What the deuce do you mean by abusing Society?
Society has behaved uncommonly well, in my opinion. Where's Frank?"
"Lurking," said Mr. Clare. "It is one of the intolerable peculiarities
of louts that they always lurk. I haven't seen _my_ lout this morning.
It you meet with him anywhere, give him a kick, and say I want him."
Mr. Clare's opinion of his son's habits might have been expressed
more politely as to form; but, as to substance, it happened, on that
particular morning, to be perfectly correct. After leaving Magdalen,
Frank had waited in the shrubbery, at a safe distance, on the chance
that she might detach herself from her sister's company, and join him
again. Mr. Vanstone's appearance immediately on Norah's departure,
instead of encouraging him to show himself, had determined him on
returning to the cottage. He walked back discontentedly; and so
fell into his father's clutches, totally unprepared for the pending
announcement, in that formidable quarter, of his departure for London.
In the meantime, Mr. Vanstone had communicated his news--in the first
place, to Magdalen, and afterward, on getting back to the house, to
his wife and Miss Garth.
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