Lady Gwendolyn turned upon her almost fiercely:
“Then cross the Channel, both of you, as quickly as you can, for you have urged me so far between you that now I don’t care what I do, and I mean to be happy my own way for a few months, even if the whole world follows your and Reggie’s example, and hunts me down afterward. Do you understand? Reggie has cast me off at your bidding, therefore I feel independent of you all.”
“But you won’t do anything dreadful, Gwen?” pleaded Lady Teignmouth. “I am sure Reggie will come round in time, and we shall be comfortable together again.”
“Comfortable together again!” repeated the girl, with an accent of withering scorn. “Fancy my being comfortable with you, or staying under your roof! I really don’t think I am ever likely to fall quite so low as that.”
Lady Teignmouth colored up, and her eyes flashed; but she dared not show resentment. She was in her sister-in-law’s power to a certain extent, for if Lady Gwendolyn chose to insist upon an explanation with Reginald, and laid the facts of the case clearly before him, it was doubtful whether she might not convince the earl of her own innocence and of his wife’s guilt. And then all her pretty scheming would have been worse than useless, since it would only aggravate the original offense in Lord Teignmouth’s eyes.
Consequently Pauline had need to be humble and conciliatory. Her voice was honey-sweet as she said:
“Of course, that must be as you feel, Gwen; but I know it would add greatly to my happiness to have the affair pleasantly settled. I was only saying to Reggie yesterday that Teignmouth would be unendurable without you.”
“You are going to Teignmouth, then?”
“For a little while. Reggie has invited a houseful of people. It will be a dreadful bore having to entertain them all by myself, and you were always so nice and popular, dear; but it can’t be helped, of course—it is the penalty I must pay for my own imprudence.”
“And deceit,” interposed Lady Gwendolyn sternly.