"He did, did he? What happened?"
"Well, Lady Barbara just took Perry away from Harriet. It is of no use to ask me how, for I don't know. It may sound absurd, but I saw it with my own eyes, I am ready to swear she neither moved nor spoke.
She looked at him, and smiled, and he walked right across the room to her side."
He was now openly laughing. "Is that all? Of course.. it was very bad of Bab, but I think Harriet deserved it. It must have been sublime!"
"Yes," she agreed, but with rather a sober face.
He regarded her intently. "Is there more, Judith?"
"I am afraid there is. As I told you, Harriett quarrelled with Perry. You remember, Charles, that you were in Ghent. It seems that Perry rode out with Lady Barbara before breakfast next morning. I believe she is in the habit of riding in the Allee Verte every morning."
"You need not tell me that," he interrupted. "I know. She appointed Perry to ride with her?"
"So I understand. He made no secret of it, which makes me feel that he cannot have intended the least harm. But Harriet was suffering from such an irritation of nerves that she allowed her jealousy to overcome her good sense; they quarrelled; Perry left the house it anger; and, I dare say out of sheer defiance, joined the party Lady Barbara had got together to picnic in the country that evening. The gossip arose out of being the one chosen to drive with her in her phaeton. I am afraid he has done little to allay suspicion since. It is all such a stupid piece of nonsense, but oh, Charles, if you would but use your influence with Lady Barbara. Harriet is in despair, and indeed it is very disagreeable. to say the least of it, to have such a scandal in our midst!"
"Disagreeable!" he exclaimed. "It is a damnable piece of work!" He checked himself, and continued in a more moderate tone: "I beg your pardon, but you will agree that I have reason to feel this strongly. Is Peregrine with Bab now?"