"Not here!" ejaculated Kaituna, in dismay. "Oh, Mrs. Belswin!"
"I have to go up to town, my dear," said that lady, very slowly, "in order to see a--a friend of mine."
She hesitated over the last word, knowing in her own heart the errand which was taking her up to town.
"But can't you put off your visit for a time?"
"I'm afraid not."
Kaituna said nothing, but looked reproachfully at her friend, whereupon Mrs. Belswin kissed her with a gay laugh.
"Don't look so scared, my child. I shall only be away for a few days."
"You will like Sir Rupert, I'm sure," said Mrs. Valpy, who had been slowly following out a train of thought. "He is a most delightful man."
"So I have always heard," replied the chaperon coldly.
"Perhaps he'll marry again," said Tommy, idly, more for the sake of saying something than from any idea of Sir Rupert's matrimonial intentions.