“I wonder if you will know any one in the room. I do hope Lady Hildegarde will be there. I am sure she will look after you, and make it pleasant for you.”
I was not so sanguine on this point, but I merely said with a laugh—
“Perhaps we shall have Lady Polexfen, too. Do you think she will make it pleasant for me?”
“She is a cold, arrogant wretch; not one bit like her mother or her brother. I wish he were to be there. He would be sure to notice you.”
“Notice me!” I echoed.
“There, now—there, now! My dear Gwen, you know what I mean. No offense, as they say. Upon my word, when your eyes flash like that, I feel quite terrified. I cannot think where you get your pride—and you are desperately proud—certainly not from your poor dear father. He had not a scrap of pride—except—just on one subject.” And she gazed rather dreamily at the lamp.
“And what was that subject?” I inquired.
No answer. She did not seem to hear me. Her thoughts were far away.