"Yes, so do I," said Georgiana regretfully. "I wish I had it."
Judith could not help laughing, but she assured her vivacious young friend that she was very well as she was. "All the nicest men pay their court to Georgy," she said. "It is men like the Comte de Lavisse who run after Lady Barbara."
"Yes," sighed Georgiana, looking pensively in the direction of the Count. "Very true. Of course one would not wish to be admired by such a person."
This sentiment was echoed by Lady Barbara's brother, much later in the evening. As his carriage conveyed him and his ladies home to the Rue Ducale he said in a peevish tone that he wondered Bab could bear to have that foreign fellow for ever at her elbow.
She only laughed, but his wife, who had been yawning in her corner of the carriage, said sharply: "If you mean Lavisse, I am sure I don't know why you should. I only wish Bab may not play fast and loose with him. I believe he is extremely rich."
This argument was one that could not but appeal to the Marquis. He was silent for a few moments, but presently said: "I don't know about that, but I can tell you his reputation doesn't bear looking into."
"If it comes to that, Bab's own reputation is not above reproach!"
Another gurgle of laughter came from the opposite corner of the carriage. The Marquis said severely: "It's all very well to laugh. No doubt it amuses you to make your name a byword. For my part, I have had enough of your scandals."
"Oh, pray spare us a homily!" said his wife, yawning again.
"Don't be anxious, Vidal! They're laying odds against Lavisse's staying the course for more than a month."