She drew her hand away firmly, but without undue haste.
"If you are going to be frivolous," she said, "I will have all the callers shown in. You know very well that that is not what I mean. There must be some unpremeditated action, some impulse which comes from your own heart. Frankly, Arranmore, there are times now when I am afraid of you. You seem to have no heart—to be absolutely devoid of feeling, to be cold and calculating even in your slightest actions. There, now I have told you just what I feel sometimes, and it doesn't sound nice, does it?"
"It sounds very true," he said, wearily. "Will you tell me where I can buy a new heart and a fresh set of impulses, even a disposition, perhaps? I'd be a customer. I'm willing enough."
"Never mind that," she said, softly. "After all, I have a certain amount of faith. A miracle may happen at any moment."
Sybil came in, dressed in a fascinating short skirt and a toque. Her maid on the threshold was carrying a small green baize box.
"I am going to Prince's, mother, just for an hour, with Mrs. Huntingdon. How do you do, Lord Arranmore? You'll keep mother from being dull, won't you?"
"It is your mother," he said, "who is making me dull."
"Poor old mummy," Sybil declared, cheerfully.
"Never mind. Her bark's a good deal worse than her bite. Good-bye, both of you."
Lord Arranmore rose and closed the door after her.