In the course of the week there came other guests to Humblethwaite, and it so chanced that there was a lady who knew the Altringhams, who had unfortunately met the Altringhams at Goodwood, and who, most unfortunately, stated in Emily's hearing that she had seen George Hotspur at Goodwood.
"He was not there," said Emily, quite boldly.
"Oh, yes; with the Altringhams, as usual. He is always with them at Goodwood."
"He was not at the last meeting," said Emily, smiling.
The lady said nothing till her lord was present, and then appealed to him. "Frank, didn't you see George Hotspur with the Altringhams at Goodwood, last July?"
"To be sure I did, and lost a pony to him on Eros."
The lady looked at Emily, who said nothing further; but she was still quite convinced that George Hotspur had not been at those Goodwood races.
It is so hard, when you have used a lie commodiously, to bury it, and get well rid of it.