Goldstein's dark face grew darker. "She is very much admired indeed," he said emphatically.
"Perhaps she will be here tonight," Alex suggested, thinking that she would like to see Queenie grown-up.
"She is not coming tonight," said Goldstein with calm assurance. "Are you going to the Duchess's ball on Tuesday? But I need not ask."
Alex felt unreasonably flattered at the homage implied, rather than expressed, in the tone, and replied in the affirmative.
"Then you will see Miss Torrance."
"Oh, I'm glad," said Alex. She felt rather elated at the success which her friend must have undoubtedly met with, to be so much admired, and she remembered with added resentment Lady Isabel's old inquiry: "Torrance—Torrance—who is Torrance?"
"Did you know that the girl I was at Liège with, Queenie Torrance, came out last year, and every one says she's lovely?" she demanded of her mother.
"I'd forgotten you were at school with her. I remember now," said Lady Isabel thoughtfully. "Who says she is lovely?"
"Oh, Lady Mollie and every one. That Mr. Goldstein I was talking to."
"Goldstein!" exclaimed her mother with infinite contempt. She was silent for a little while and then said, "I've heard about the Torrance girl. Men—of a sort—admire her very much indeed, but I should be sorry if you copied her style, Alex."