Mrs. Vyner was paying great court to the old roué, Sir Frederick—his opinion being a verdict.
A knock at the door made her heart beat a little faster. To her disappointment, however, it was only Julius St. John's name she heard announced. She shortly overheard Julius informing Mrs. Langley Turner, that he had left Mr. Ashley stretched on his sofa, devouring Ruy Blas, just received.
"And I am to be neglected for Victor Hugo, I presume!" said Mrs. Langley Turner.
Julius shrugged his shoulders significantly.
"I shall scold him well for it."
"Not when you hear his excuse. He told me that no attraction could drag him from Ruy Blas till he had finished it; it was such a splendid tale of vengeance."
A cold shiver ran over Mrs. Meredith Vyner, as she heard St. John carelessly and laughingly let fall those words full of terrible significance to her.
"But he will be here this evening, I hope?" inquired Mrs. Langley Turner.
"Yes."
Finding it was useless waiting any longer, Mrs. Vyner rose to withdraw.