Mina did not confess, but she felt the hit all the same; if she were to fight him, she must bring her reserves into action.
"By the way, I'm so sorry you couldn't see my mother when you called the other day. She's not at all well, unhappily. She really wants to see you."
"How very kind of Lady Tristram!" There was kept for the mother a little of the sarcastic humility which was more appropriate when directed against the son. Harry smiled still as he turned round and began to escort her back to the lawn. The smile annoyed Mina; it was a smile of victory. Well, the victory should not be altogether his.
"I want to see Lady Tristram very much," she went on, in innocent tones and with a face devoid of malice, "because I can't help thinking I must have seen her before—when I was quite a little girl."
"You've seen my mother before? When and where?"
"She was Mrs Fitzhubert, wasn't she?"
"Yes, of course she was—before she came into the title."
"Well, a Mrs Fitzhubert used to come and see my mother long ago at Heidelberg. Do you know if your mother was ever at Heidelberg?"
"I fancy she was—I'm not sure."
Still the Imp was very innocent, although the form of Harry's reply caused her inward amusement and triumph.