'Oh, is it all his? I thought the Leverings were rather well off.'
'Yes, but the money came through the second wife, Vida's mother. Oh, I hate that Fox-Moore woman!' Mrs. Freddy laughed ruefully. 'And I'm sure her husband is a great deal too good for her. But how could I have done it!'
'You haven't told us yet.'
'They asked me who was late, and I said Dick Farnborough, and that I hoped he hadn't forgotten, for I had Hermione Heriot here on purpose to meet him. And I told Vida about the Heriots trying to marry Hermione to that old Colonel Redding.'
'Oh, can't they bring it off?' said Lady Whyteleafe.
'I've been afraid they would. "It's so dreadful," I said, "to see a fresh young girl tied to a worn-out old man."'
'Oh!' remarked Lady Whyteleafe, genuinely shocked. 'And you said that to——'
Mrs. Freddy nodded with melancholy significance. 'Even when Vida said, "It seems to do well enough sometimes," still I never never remembered the Fox-Moore story! And I went on about it being a miracle when it turned out even tolerably—and, oh, Heaven forgive me! I grew eloquent!'
'It's your passion for making speeches,' said Mr. Freddy.