"Oh yes—yes—we must hope so." And her Ladyship sighed deeply. "You, of course, know what I wished from my heart."
"I'm going away," he said abruptly, "this afternoon in fact. I'm assigned on a diplomatic service, which, for the present, may take me out of England, so you'll make my adieux to Lady Isabelle, will you not?"
"I—er—trust you do not contemplate doing anything—foolish?"
"You may set your mind at rest on that score."
"You relieve me immensely—you'll excuse me if I'm too frank. I've come so near being a—er—mother to you, I feel a peculiar interest in your welfare. May I venture to express the hope, that you'll not commit yourself with that young Irish person?"
"Your ladyship may feel quite easy— Miss Fitzgerald and I have never been more than friends, and in the future——"
"Of course one must be kind; but a young man cannot be too careful. I assure you in regard to the young woman in question, that I was told in strict confidence—the most shocking——"
"Pardon me," he interrupted, "but I couldn't think of violating your strict confidence," and he passed by her out of the room.
"That young man," said the Dowager, in summing him up to a friend, "has tact, but lacks reserve."