“I suppose you mean Mr. Despencer’s feelings?” she observed.
“I mean the feelings of society,” returned her mother sternly. “You are more like an anarchist than a well-bred girl.”
Lady Victoria indulged in the tiniest of yawns.
“I think the anarchists are very interesting people,” she remarked. “If it weren’t for them, there would be nothing to read about in the papers.”
“There would be China,” returned the marchioness in a shocked voice.
The marchioness considered herself a politician. Her husband had once been Master of the Deerhounds.
“Bother China!” said Lady Victoria, dropping into a chair. “Is that what you sent for me about?”
The marchioness raised her eyes in mute appeal to the ceiling.
“I sent for you because I wanted to speak to you privately before anybody comes.”
Despencer, who had been about to sit down again, stood up, and moved towards the door. The marchioness recalled him.