“Ah, well; then I suppose you must stop. I wonder whether Lady Littletown will take any notice of Richard now he is at Hampton Court?”
“I should think she would, mamma. She is always most friendly.”
“Friendly, but not trustworthy, my dear. A terribly scheming woman, Gertrude. Her sole idea seems to be match-making. But, there, Richard is too young to become her prey!”
Gertrude’s brow wrinkled, and she looked wonderingly at her mother, whose face was averted.
“I have been looking up the Glens. Not a bad family, but a younger branch. I suppose Richard will accompany his brother officer here one of these days. By the way, my dear, Lord Henry Moorpark seemed rather attentive to you at the Lindleys the other night.”
“Yes, mamma,” said Gertrude quietly; “he took me in to supper, and sat and chatted with me a long time.”
“Yes; I noticed that he did.”
“I like Lord Henry, mamma; he is so kind and gentle and courteous.”
“Very, my dear.”
“One always feels as if one could confide in him—he is so fatherly, and—”