But Lady Nottingham considered that they had aurora-ed quite long enough. They had no right to keep all their happiness to themselves; it was their duty to diffuse it, and let other people warm their hands and hearts at it. She had written what is diplomatically known as a "strong note" to say so, and she had mentioned that she was not alone in considering that they were being rather selfish. Tom Lindfield thought so too. He openly averred that he was still head-over-ears in love with Jeannie, and he wished to gratify his passion by seeing her again, and having copious opportunities given him of solitary talks with her. He did not object (this was all part of the message that Lady Nottingham sent Jeannie from him) to Victor's coming with her, but he would be obliged if Victor would kindly make up his mind to efface himself a good deal. Otherwise he had better stop away.
Tom proposed to come down to Bray for Easter, and would be much obliged if Jeannie would come too. He did not ask her to set aside any other engagements she might have, because he was perfectly well aware that she had no other engagement than that tiresome and apparently permanent one of burying herself in the country with Victor.
Jeannie received this letter at breakfast down at their house in Hampshire. She read it aloud to her husband.
"What a darling he is," she said. "Victor, I shall go. I love that man."
"I know you do. He isn't a bad sort. Do you want me to come too?"
"Oh, I shan't go unless you do," said Jeannie, quickly.
"Right. It's a confounded nuisance, though, but I suppose you must. How many days do you want to stop there?"
"Oh, till Tuesday or Wednesday, I suppose. Perhaps Tom would come back with us here after that."
Victor got up and moved round the table, till he stood by his wife's chair.
"No, I don't think he will," he said. "Fact is, Jeannie, I asked him to come here a week or two ago, and he wrote me an awfully nice letter back, but said he thought he wouldn't. I didn't tell you before, for there was no use in it. But after that I don't think I should ask him if I were you."