She pulled up short.
"No! I won't boast!" she said.
But she was thrilled, none the less, to be going off: to feel bonds snap. She couldn't help it.
Clifford, who couldn't sleep, gambled all night with Mrs. Bolton, till she was too sleepy almost to live.
And the day came round for Hilda to arrive. Connie had arranged with Mellors that if everything promised well for their night together, she would hang a green shawl out of the window. If there were frustration, a red one.
Mrs. Bolton helped Connie to pack.
"It will be so good for your ladyship to have a change."
"I think it will. You don't mind having Sir Clifford on your hands alone for a time, do you?"
"Oh, no! I can manage him quite all right. I mean, I can do all he needs me to do. Don't you think he's better than he used to be?"
"Oh much! You do wonders with him."