"What is it?" I inquired for she had paused abruptly, and seemed to be entirely engrossed in her flowers.
"The one aim they have had in view for several years past is to see Agatha mistress of Crown Anstey. She was educated solely and entirely for that purpose."
"I do not believe it!" cried Clare, indignantly.
"I should never expect you to do so. You are too unworldly—too good; you know nothing of the manners of fashionable people. Sir Barnard knew it. They fairly hunted him down; they were always driving over here, or asking Sir Barnard and Miles there; they were continually contriving fresh means to throw Miles and Agatha together."
I would not please her by showing my anger.
"Perhaps," I said, carelessly, "Miles admired her; he may even have been her lover."
She turned to me with a strange, glittering smile, a look I could not fathom on her face.
"No," she replied: "Miles knew all about it; he was too sensible to be caught by the insipid charms of a mere school-girl. Sir Barnard was not so wise; he would have liked to join the two estates—he spoke of it very often—but Miles never gave the matter a serious thought."
There was such unconcealed bitterness in her words and look—such malice in that glittering smile, I turned away half in disgust.
"All our neighbors understand Lady Thesiger's politics," she continued; "they have been a source of great amusement for some time."