XXVIII
THE UNCLOUDING OF LOVE
Miss Wentstile sat grimly silent until they heard the outer door downstairs close behind the departing guest. Then she straightened herself up.
"I thank you, Louisa," she said gravely; "you meant well, but how dared you?"
"Oh, I had to dare," returned Mrs. Neligage lightly. "I'm coming into the family, you know, and must help keep up its credit."
"Humph!" was the not entirely complimentary rejoinder. "If you cared for the credit of the family why didn't you tell me about the Count sooner? Is he really a fast man?"
"He's been one of the best known sports in Europe, my dear Miss Wentstile."
"Why didn't you tell me then?"
"Why should I? I wasn't engaged to Harry then, and if the Count wanted to reform and settle down, you wouldn't have had me thwart so virtuous an inclination, would you?"
"I thought you wanted him to marry Alice!"