Major Griff adjusted his eyeglass carefully, smoothed out the sheet of cream-coloured paper, and read as follows in a subdued voice:
"Lady Errington presents her compliments to Mrs. Veilsturm, and returns the enclosed card, which was evidently left to-day at the Hall by some mistake."
"So I was right, you see," observed Griff, leisurely folding up this short epistle and letting his eyeglass drop down. "Mostyn did tell her about you after all--damn him!"
The Major swore in a tranquil manner, without any sign of anger, but that he was greatly annoyed could be seen by the twitching of his thin lips under his grizzled moustache. As for Mrs. Veilsturm, her temper had got the better of her discretion, and having left her seat, she was sweeping up and down the little room like an angry panther in its cage.
"Well Maraquita," said Griff quietly, after a pause, "you see Lady Errington has declared war, as I knew she would."
"You knew no more than I did," hissed Maraquita viciously.
Major Griff smiled at her in a pitying manner.
"Instinct, my dear! Instinct! I told you what was in that letter before you opened it."
"I should like to kill her," said Cleopatra, glaring at him in a kind of cold fury.
"I've no doubt you would, but, as you can't, why waste time in useless threats?"