'EGLANTINE.'
What a strange letter. How like her to lay down the law about Bruce! It irritated Edith a little, also it made the future seem harder.
About four o'clock Landi called unexpectedly. He always came just when Edith wanted him most, and now she confided in him and told him of her promise to Aylmer.
He approved of their resolution to wait till Aylmer returned from the front and to have nothing on their conscience before. He was indeed much relieved at the postponement.
'And how is the Spanish girl?' he asked. 'How does she get on with Lady
Conroy?'
'Oh, all right. She's not Spanish at all. She had rather a blow last week, poor girl. Her father nearly went bankrupt; she was quite in despair. It seems your friend Valdez came to the rescue in the most generous way, and she's immensely grateful.'
'He helped her, did he?' said Landi, smiling.
'He seems to have behaved most generously and charmingly. Do you think he is in love with her, Landi?'
'Very likely he will be now.'
'And she—she adores Aylmer. Will she fall in love with Valdez out of gratitude?'