"The rain and the round games and the people?" Rainham echoed. "You have my sympathy."
"I believe I rather liked the round games," said Mary, with a little laugh. "They were less tiresome than the rest; and the organ was a great solace; it was very perfect."
"Ah, yes, she liked the round games," put in Lady Garnett; "and if two of her admirers had played them more, and turned over her music less, the organ might have been a greater solace."
"They were very foolish," sighed the girl rather wearily.
"Mr. Sylvester was there for the last fortnight," continued Lady Garnett, with some malice. "He succeeded Lord Overstock, as Mary's musical acolyte. In revenge, Lord Overstock wished to teach her baccarat, and Mr. Sylvester remonstrated. It was sublime! It was the one moment of amusement vouchsafed me."
Mary flushed, locking her hands together nervously, with a trace of passion.
"It was ridiculous! intolerable! He had no right——!"
Lady Garnett bent forward, taking her hand.
"Forgive me, chérie! I did not mean to annoy you…. You can imagine how glad we were to see you," she added, with a sudden turn to Rainham. "It was charming of you to call so soon; you could hardly have expected to find us."
"You must not give me too much credit. I happened to be quite near, in Harley Street. I could not pass without inquiring."