"It's not very likely you could, when you'd been spending every hour of the day with Ashley Mead! Actually took him to meet your husband!"
"I suppose it was that, partly; but I couldn't have got even as far as I did without Ashley. Why won't you come to Devonshire?"
"Among other things, I'm going to be married."
"Oh! Soon?"
"In a month."
"Really? How splendid! I should think Lord Bowdon's a lovely lover. I'm sure he would be." Ora was now smiling very happily.
Irene seemed to consider something seriously for a moment or two; then she gave it utterance.
"I'm afraid you're disreputable, after all," she said.
"No, I'm not," protested Ora. "Oh, but, my dear, how I should like to be! It would simplify everything so. But then Ashley—" She broke off and frowned pensively.