'Then, what George knew the lady knows?'
'No. Thank God, she knows nothing of what is immediately intended. It is a year and more since George and she have spoken. She knows nothing of the Blow. But she knows the men who are directing it.'
'May be she's staunch,' said Tyrell.
Wogan quoted Lady Mary:
'Politics are nothing more to her than pawns in the game of love.'
The two men stood looking at each other for a moment. The matter was too serious for them even to swear. Then they walked on again.
'Do you think,' asked Nick, 'she will be in the best of tempers when she hears she is sung about in coffee-houses? Do you think she will blame anybody but Kelly for blabbing? She will give the ballad to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and isn't Kelly of Lady Mary's friends? No, he did not blab, but never mind. She will think he did. And do you know that she is a kinswoman of the minister, Mr. Walpole? Let her say a word, and she will say it, and where is Mr. Farmer's affair?'
'Where the Elector's hat and wig often are--in the fire,' answered Tyrell, looking serious enough.
'That letter which I took up was from her; I know her hand. She is stirring.'
Wogan opened the scented letter as he walked. It was but to say that Lady Oxford had heard that Mr. Hilton was in town, and begged the favour of his company at her rout that night.