"You certainly made an impression upon her, Phillipa," said Lady Calverly afterwards.
"She is a vain and rather silly old woman," Miss Fanshawe replied. Language that might have opened Mrs. Purling's eyes.
"But I am very glad you became such good friends. Purlington is a very desirable place."
Here, then, was a faint clue to the mystery of Mrs. Purling's tardy reception at Compton Revel. Intrigue—not necessarily base, but covered by the harmless phrase, "It would be so very nice"—was at work to bring about a match between Miss Fanshawe and Harold Purling. She was one of a large family of girls and her father was an impoverished peer. Besides, her career so far had not been an unmixed success. Lady Gayfeather's young ladies had the reputation of being the "quickest" in the town.
"I have met the son," went on Lady Calverly.
"Yes?" Phillipa's tone was one of absolute indifference.
"He is a gentleman."
"I have always heard of him as a solemn prig—'Old Steady' he was named at college. I confess I have no special leaning to these very proper and decorous youths."
"Do not say that you are harping still on that old affair. I assure you Gilly Jillingham is unworthy of you. You are not thinking still of each other, I sincerely hope?"
"I may be of him," said Phillipa bitterly. "He is not likely to think of any one—but himself."