“Why, from seeing plenty of them,” was the unabashed reply.
“In your own case?”
“Yes, they tormented the life out of me, and I was tired of insulting them. But I’ll tell you one thing—Patsie only fancied he liked me; it was just because I was going off, and his contrariness. If I’d been stopping on, I don’t believe he’d have bothered me, for he is looking for a fortune.”
“Yes”—drawing his chair a little closer. “This is most interesting. Please go on.”
But Joseline was gazing at the door, which opened cautiously, and admitted Lady Mulgrave in an evening toilette of sea green and diamonds. She rustled forward with empressement.
“There now, and I’ll tell ye the rest when we are by ourselves.”
Her ladyship distinctly overheard this promise. What a bold creature!—a girl who had met Dudley for the first time. So this was her simple, innocent little Irish peasant! Already spreading her nets for her father’s heir. How truly abominable!
“My dear boy, I’d no idea you had arrived,” she said, coming over with extended hands. “I see that I needn’t introduce you to Joseline”—and she looked contemptuously amused. “Have you been here long?”
“Only about five minutes.”