Lippa

Lippa

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton This
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Title: Lippa
Author: Beatrice Egerton
Release Date: February 5, 2006 [EBook #17681]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIPPA ***

Produced by Susan Skinner

LIPPA
A NOVEL
BY
BEATRICE EGERTON

London
EDEN, REMINGTON & CO., PUBLISHERS KING STREET,
COVENT GARDEN
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
[Transcriber's Note: Chapter numbering is as in the original text, so
there are two Chapter XIs.]
CHAPTER I
'I hold the world but as the world A stage where every man must play a
part.'
--SHAKESPEARE.
It is four o'clock, and ---- Street is wearing a very deserted appearance
although it is July. The cab-drivers are more or less fast asleep in
attitudes far from suggesting comfort, the sentries on guard at ----
Palace look almost suffocated in their bearskins, and a comparative
quiet is reigning over the great metropolis.
'Do you know, Helmdon,' says Jimmy Dalrymple. 'I'm nearly done;'
these two are seated in the bow window of a well-known club.
'You don't mean it, what!' replies Helmdon, better known as Chubby.
'I do, all the same,' says Jimmy, testily, 'heat, money, everything, in
fact!'
'That comes of racing, my good boy,' this from Chubby, in a sort of
I-told-you-so tone.
'For Heaven's sake don't begin lecturing,' says Dalrymple, 'it doesn't
suit you, and how in the name of fortune could the heat come from my
racing. Chubby, you're an ass!' and really, J. Dalrymple of the Guards is
not far wrong, for the said Chubby, otherwise Lord Helmdon does look

rather foolish half leaning half sitting on the back of a chair, his hat
well at the back of his head (why it remains there is a mystery), his
reddish hair very dishevelled, his face on a broad grin while he watches
with deep interest two dogs fighting in the street below.
Dalrymple receiving no answer to his complimentary speech, gives
vent to a yawn, and sends for a brandy and soda.
'Eh what!' says Chubby, suddenly, and à propos of nothing; by this
time the dogs have been separated. 'Didn't you speak just now?'
'Well, yes,' replies Dalrymple, 'I merely observed that you were an ass.'
'Thanks, awfully, but why did it strike you just now?' asks Lord
Helmdon, sweetly.
'Don't know, I'm sure--'
'Ah! I thought so, but look here, why are you so down in the mouth,
there's something up I'm sure,' and Chubby scrutinises his friend
gravely.
'Nothing's up,' says Jimmy, 'but I've got into a confounded business
with Harkness over that mare of his, that ought to have run in the Oaks,
I've laid more than I've got, against her winning the Ledger, and I don't
know what on earth to do--'
'Do nothing,' says Helmdon, 'it'll all shake down somehow, and the
Ledger's weeks off--'
Jimmy grunts an assent, and then rising says, 'I'm off to tea at Brook
Street and the Park afterwards.'
'You'll probably find me there,' replies Helmdon, settling himself
comfortably for a nap. While Dalrymple walks out of the Club and
turns in the direction of Brook Street. He has not gone far when he is
overtaken by a man who greets him with: 'Where are you going to, my
pretty maid?'

'I'm on my way to the Park,' replies Dalrymple, smiling, 'only I thought
of stopping at your sister's on the way. Where are you bound for?'
'There too,' answers his companion, who, save for his drooping fair
moustache would better deserve to be called a 'pretty maid.' 'Mabel has
a small party on, and I promised to drop in, we may as well go
together.'
Paul Ponsonby is decidedly handsome; tall, fair, of almost a feminine
complexion, and with blue eyes of a very sad expression. He is a great
favourite with the female sex and many a mother longs to have him for
a son-in-law, remembering that he has plenty of money, and only three
people between him and an earldom; but he has no intention of
marrying, there being 'a just cause and impediment' why he should not.
But by this time our friends have reached their destination, and ascend
the staircase to the strains of distant music.
'Mabel,' otherwise Mrs Seaton, is standing on the landing and greets
them both eagerly.
'So glad you've come,' says she, 'but I didn't expect you, Mr Dalrymple,
and now you're here you must make yourself useful, your mission in
life at the present moment, Paul,' she adds, turning to her brother, 'is