"My dear Lady Walmer! I'm going to tell—my cousin Valentia—all about it—I mean about my hopes. I'm certain that she will be charming about it—only too glad, for my sake."
"Oh! And yet I thought she was human! Or—is there some one else?"
"Certainly there's some one else—there's Romer. She's very devoted to him."
"Harry, my boy, we should get on so very much better if you wouldn't tell so many unnecessary fibs," remarked the lady.
She stood up and drew the hatpins out of her hat.
He said, "I'm quite frank with you. I don't think I've been anything else. And, after all, I only ask to do it in my own way—at my own time. To choose my moment. Really, one can't behave like an impossible bounder."
"Oh, can't one? Well, perhaps not."
She took the hat off and put it on a table, giving the impression suddenly, without it, of being smooth, a little bald, and very good-tempered.
"Then you'll forgive me, Lady Walmer—you'll understand? I should think that in about three or four weeks I shall be able to join you somewhere. But, about fixing the date—that's impossible. Can't I see Alec to-day?"
She smiled graciously.