'No.'
'I understand you've broken with them altogether? You don't want anything more to do with that lot?'
'I have nothing whatever to do with them,' Alma replied, steadying her voice to a cold dignity.
'And I think you're quite right. Now, look here—you've heard, I dare say, that I'm going to be married? Well, I'm not the kind of fellow to talk sentiment, as you know. But I've had fair luck in life, and I feel pretty pleased with myself, and if I can do anybody a friendly turn—anybody that deserves it—I'm all there. I want you just to think of me as a friend, and nothing else. You're rather set against me, I know; but try and forget all about that. Things are changed. After all, you know, I'm one of the men that people talk about; my name has got into the "directories of talent", as somebody calls them; and I have a good deal at stake. It won't do for me to go fooling about any more. All I mean is, that you can trust me, down to the ground. And there's nobody I would be better pleased to help in a friendly way than you, Mrs. Rolfe.'
Alma was gazing at him in surprise, mingled with apprehension.
'Please say what you mean. I don't see how you can possibly do me any service. I have given up all thought of a professional career.
'I know you have. I'm sorry for it, but it isn't that I want to talk about. You don't see Mrs. Carnaby, but I suppose you hear of her now and then?'
'Very rarely.'
'You know that she has been taken up by Lady Isobel Barker?'
'Who is Lady Isobel Barker?'