"I rather think they have heard her name, but imagine she is dead. Of course their father would never mention her to them."
"No, I suppose not. It seems dreadful to me. I almost wish you had not told me."
"You are bound to know sooner or later. You might even come across her at some friend's house. I am not a Holme, I am glad to say. I can't understand bearing anyone a lifelong grudge. I only saw her once, a very handsome woman, pride and power in every line of her face."
"I have seen a portrait of her with him as a little girl. I always thought she must have died in infancy."
"Well, that's that, and now to talk of yourselves. You must soften him, Anstice, win him! He must be made of stone to withstand you!"
"We are very good friends," said Anstice with dignity; "he told me I could tell you that. I want nothing more at present. And when the weather gets warmer and finer, he will be off again yachting."
"I wish his yacht was at the bottom of the ocean," said Lady Lucy with warmth, "and I hope your absence now will make him see what a treasure he is despising."
"I am sure he does not despise me," said Anstice, laughing, and then she switched the conversation off to other topics.
But she thought a great deal of Justin, now that she was away from him, and wondered if she would ever be able to make him a really happy man.
One day she asked if she might have Louise over from Hampstead to tea. Lady Lucy suggested Sunday afternoon.