The Keepers of the People

260But at dinner there was a change: Lady Hammersmith, having heard from her maid that he came from Asia, had summoned Althea, and learned from her all she knew of him. She had been wont to consider her yearly stay at Quivern Court a necessary waste of time, a mere breathing-space in her work. It rested her; she wrote many letters to the faithful of the various causes she supported with so flurried an ardour; and she gave some time to Althea. But now there seemed a chance of further work, of conferring with this nephew from the East; and she came to dinner eager to impress her views on him. But before she began she considered his face more attentively than she had yet done, and it did not please her: she said to herself that it was not a good face, meaning that it lacked the enthusiast’s weakness.

261The dinner began dull: Lady Lisdor was thoughtful; Althea was oppressed by the presence of her mother; Miss Freshington was hungry; Lady Hammersmith was observing Ralph Falcon. Lord Lisdor and Prince Melinsky discussed a new sporting rifle they had been trying. Then Lady Hammersmith told them of some of the latest advances of the woman movement; and Althea, under the cover of her loud voice, talked in an undertone to Ralph Falcon.

262Presently Lady Hammersmith turned to him with a determined air, and said, “How many people are there on your father’s estate, Mr. Falcon?”

263“I don’t know,” said Ralph Falcon.

264“Ah, Indian estates are always very large. I suppose there are more than a thousand?” she said.

265“Yes,” said Ralph Falcon. “And of what denominations are the missionaries?” said Lady Hammersmith.

266“There are none,” said Ralph Falcon.

267“No missionaries! This is very distressing! I must see to it — write to the S.P.G. and C.M.S. at once. An Englishman’s estate and no missionaries — shocking! shocking! However, I suppose your father and yourself give them religious instruction yourselves?”

268“No,” said Ralph Falcon.

269“Dear! dear! how very remiss! But there, we all know what the English in India are. And do you mean to say that no missionaries have ever found their way there?” Lady Hammersmith wore the air of an inquisitor.

270“Some,” said Ralph Falcon.

271“And what has become of them? What are they doing?” cried Lady Hammersmith.

272“My father had them executed,” said Ralph Falcon.