An Infamous Army Read Online Free

I think it will be interesting to be in Brussels this spring."
    "Yes," she agreed. "But what will happen?"
    "I know no more than the next man."
    "I suppose war is certain? Will the Duke be a match for Bonaparte, do you think?"
    "That is what we are going to see, my dear."
    "Everyone speaks as though his arrival will make all quite safe - indeed, I do myself - but though he was so successful in Spain he has never fought against Bonaparte himself, has he?"
    "A circumstance which makes the situation of even more interest," said Worth.
    "Well!" She resumed her stitching. "You are very cool. We shall stay then. Indeed, I should be very sorry to go just when Charles is to join us."
    The Earl put up his quizzing-glass. "Ah! May I inquire, my love, whether you are making plans for Charles's future welfare?"
    Down went the embroidery; her ladyship raised an indignant rueful pair of eyes to his face. "You are the most odious man that I have ever met!" she declared. "Of course I don't make plans for Charles! It sounds like some horrid, match-making Mama. How in the world did you guess?"
    "Some explanation of your extreme kindness towards Miss Devenish seemed to be called for. That was the likeliest that presented itself to me."
    "Well, but don't you think her a charming girl, Julian?"
    "I daresay. You know my taste runs to Amazons."
    Her ladyship ignored this with obvious dignity. "She is extremely pretty, with such obliging manners, and a general sweetness of disposition which makes me feel her to be so very eligible."
    "I will allow all that to be true."
    "You are thinking of Mr Fisher. I know the evils of her situation, but recollect that Mr Fisher is her uncle only by marriage! He is a little vulgar perhaps - well, very vulgar, if you like! - but I am sure a kind, worthy man who has treated her quite as though she were his own daughter, and will leave the whole of his fortune to her.
    "That certainly is a consideration," said Worth.
    "Her own birth, though not noble, is perfectly respectable, you know. Her family is an old one - but it does not signify talking, after all! Charles will make his own choice."
    "Just what I was about to remark, my dear."
    "Don't alarm yourselfl I have no notion of throwing poor Lucy at his head, I assure you. But I shall own myself surprised if he does not take a liking to her."
    "I perceive," said the Earl, faintly amused, "that life in Brussels is going to be even more interesting than I had expected."

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    CHAPTER TWO

     
    When Judith, on setting out for Lady Charlotte Greville's evening party, desired Worth to direct the coachman to call at Mr Fisher's for the purpose of picking up Miss Devenish, she could not help looking a little conscious. She avoided his ironic gaze, but when he settled himself beside her, and the carriage moved forward over the pave, said defensively: "Really, it is not remarkable that I should take Lucy with me."
    "Certainly not," agreed Worth. "I made no remark."
    "Mrs Fisher does not like to go into company, you know, and the poor child would be very dull if no one offered to escort her."
    "Very true."
    Judith cast a smouldering glance at his profile. "I do not think," she said, "that I have ever met so provoking a person as you."
    He smiled, but said nothing, and upon the carriage's drawing up presently in front of a respectable-looking house in one of the quiet streets off the Place Royale, got down to hand his wife's protegee into the carriage.She did not keep him waiting for many seconds, but came out of the house, escorted by her uncle, a little stout man of cheerful vulgarity who bowed very low to the Earl, and uttered profuse thanks and protestations. He was answered with the cool civility of a stranger, but Lady Worth, leaning forward, said everything that was kind, enquired after Mrs Fisher, who had lately been confined to the house by a feverish cold, and engaged herself to take good care of Miss Devenish.
    "Your ladyship is never backward in any attention - most