"Mr. Fairfax there?" she said. "You did not tell me he was to be there, Ethel."
"Did I not, mamma?" said Ethel, calmly. "I had forgotten it, perhaps, or did not think his expected presence of sufficient consequence. Yes, he was there."
"And this Miss Mildmay? I remember Mrs. Mildmay—quite a distingué looking woman. Is her niece like her?"
"She is very pretty and well bred," said Ethel.
Her ladyship mused coldly, eying her daughter at intervals while she sat looking through the window at the moon.
"And how did the Dodsons seem? Do you like them?"
"Yes," said Ethel, "very much. It was a very pleasant party, mamma; and we have arranged another, a riding party this time. I may go, I suppose?"
"Y—es," said Lady Lackland, "if Fitz goes with you—oh, yes, certainly. Mr. Leicester Dodson goes, I suppose?"
"Yes," said Ethel, "we are all going, all the young ones. Shall I stay any longer? I make your head ache more by talking."
"No, don't stay any longer," said Lady Lackland, coldly. "Before you go you will please draw that writing table near to me?"