"I am glad you have told me as much; it may help me to be patient. I own, I cannot like Barbara."
"I am sorry for it. Yet she is not heartless, as so many people say. I could tell you of a hundred generous actions. She is accounted perfectly selfish, but I have been a good deal touched by her kindness to my boy during his long, painful convalescence. I believe no one aware how often she has forgone some pleasure party merely to sit with poor William for a little while, quite taking him out of himself."
"Ah, that was kind indeed! You are right: it warms one's heart towards her to hear of such conduct. How does poor William go on? He has not left his room?"
"Oh no! It must be weeks yet before he will be able stand upon his feet. It was a dreadful accident — he was thrown in such a way! But I don't care to think of it and can only thank God he has been spared to me." Nothing more was said of Barbara, but the conversation remained in Judith's memory. She was able to meet Barbara with more cordiality, and even to pardon some of her wildness; and for a little while could almost hope that she might make Charles happy. The incident of the moonlight picnic, however, bought back all the old disgust; she could hardly forgive Barbara for having lent herself to what she believed to have been nothing less than a trap laid for Lucy Devenish.
Lucy's own distress was evident. She looked so pale and wretched that Judith began to fear that her affections had been seriously engaged. Lord George was as brazen as might have been expected. He had made Lucy the subject of the latest scandal, but when taxed with it by his elder brother, would do nothing but laugh.
"I wish you will consider me!" complained Vidal.
"Consider you? Why the devil should I?" demanded George.
"It is no very pleasant thing for me, I can tell you, to have my brother pointed out as a rake and a libertine on the one hand, and my sister on the other as -"
"Keep your damned tongue off Bab, unless you want your teeth knocked down your throat, Vidal!" said George, looking ugly.
"Pray do not bring your ringside manners into my drawing-room, George," said Augusta sharply. "I find your championing of Bab more than a little absurd, let me tell you!"