"She has a horror of that, I know," said Lady Ardingly, "except when they are not talking about her. If they are not talking about her, she joins in it. Did she, in confidence, tell you——"
"Yes, she told me in confidence that it was she who had started that silly story about me. She told me also that you knew it. So I am not violating her confidence."
Lady Ardingly made a noise in her throat which resembled gargling.
"That is enough," she said. "What else, dear Marie?"
Marie smiled.
"You mean Jim, I suppose?" she said.
"Yes, Jim."
"Well, Jim is coming out here in a week or so. He cannot get away any sooner. I have seen him a good deal."
"And you will in the future see him even oftener," suggested Lady Ardingly.
"Much oftener. I shall see him every day."