"I am afraid I must admit that she was," he declared. "I found her very interesting."
"I hate to talk about her," Anne continued, "it makes one feel so unfilial, but really she is the most wonderful marionette that ever lived the perfect life. You see, I have been behind the scenes so long. Every now and then a little of the woman's nature crops up. Her cut to Mrs. Carraby, for instance, was quite one of the events of the season. It was so perfectly administered, so utterly scathing. I hear that the poor creature went to bed for a fortnight afterwards. Gracious, I hope I am not distressing you, Julien!" she added hastily.
"Not in the least," Julien assured her grimly. "I have no interest in
Mrs. Carraby."
Lady Anne sighed.
"That's how you men talk when your little feeling has evaporated. Julien, you're a selfish crowd! You make the world a very difficult place for a woman."
"I think," he said, "that your sex avenges itself.'
"I am not sure," she replied. "Men so often place the burden of their own follies upon a woman's shoulders."
"You rebuke me rightly," Julien declared bitterly.
"I was not thinking of you," she told him reproachfully. "I am sorry,
Julien. I should not have said that."
"It was the truth," he confessed, "absolutely the truth. Still, I have never blamed Mrs. Carraby for my disasters. It was my own asinine simplicity. Tell me, when shall I see you again? I think I ought to leave you here."