"I mean—I think—he has not shown any special attention to Marian."
"He showed it to-night, any way," rebelliously.
"He did not indeed. She asked him to show her the chrysanthemums, and what could he do but go with her to the conservatory? And I particularly noticed that as he passed Mrs. Chichester he asked her to come and see them too."
"He didn't ask me, at all events," says Tita.
"Perhaps he was afraid; and, indeed, Tita"—very gently—"you are not so altogether blameless yourself. You talked and played cards the whole night with Mr. Hescott."
"Oh, poor old Tom! That was only because I had been unkind to him in the morning, and because"—ingenuously—"I wanted to pay out Maurice."
Margaret sighs.
"It is all very sad," says she.
"It is," says Tita, tears welling up into her eyes again—a sign of grace that Margaret welcomes.
"Well, go to bed now, darling; and, Tita, if Maurice says anything to you—anything——"