"Anne wouldn't tell a lie," said Jeffrey.
She flared up at him.
"I wouldn't either. I never do. You took me by surprise."
"Does Madame Beattie talk to you about her life abroad?"
He ventured this. But she was gazing at him in the clearest candour.
"Oh, no." "About what, Lydia? Tell me. It bothers me."
"Did Miss Amabel bother you?" The charming face was fiery.
"I don't need Amabel to tell me you're taking long drives with Madame Beattie. She's a battered old party, Lydia. She's seen lots of things you don't want even to hear about."
She was gazing at him now in quite a dignified surprise.
"If you mean things that are not nice," she said, "I shouldn't listen to them. But she wouldn't want me to. Madame Beattie is—" She saw no adequate way to put it.