Vicky picked up the receiver and began to dial a number. "Oh, don't be silly! It's his cue, of course. You've no idea how cherishing he is, which is just what Ermyntrude needs. Darling Robert! He wouldn't try and set the police on to little Vicky! Oh, is that you, Robert? This is Vicky. Would you like to come and see Ermyntrude after dinner? I thought it would be a goodish sort of a move if you were just to drift in too utterly casually, because everything is most dislocated here, and I'm practically imprisoned already, which is naturally very upsetting for Ermyntrude… Oh no, truly, I'm not joking! It's only that I do so believe in wearing a brave smile, like Invictus… No, I don't think I could explain over the telephone, on account of people listening in… Oh no! that's all part of it; he's gone - at least, he's going… Yes, I thought you would. Good-bye, and come at about nine!" She put down the receiver, and turned towards Hugh, who was standing with his shoulders against the door, somewhat grimly regarding her. "The great thing is to strike while the iron's hot," she said earnestly.
"Does it occur to you," said Hugh, "that this matchmaking of yours is a trifle premature?"
"No, because Ermyntrude simply must have a protector. Poor sweet, she's not very sensible, you know, and she might quite easily let her kind heart get the better of her, and forgive Alexis, which would be fatal. Even you must see that he's the most appalling menace!"
Hugh could not deny this, but said: "You're a bit of a menace yourself, if I may say so, Vicky."
"Yes, but I have the most beautiful intentions," Vicky assured him.
But Mary, when they joined her in the dining-room a quarter of an hour later, seemed unable to perceive the beauty of Vicky's intentions. She had done what she could do to soothe the Prince's injured feelings, and had bidden him a most civil farewell upon the doorstep; and she had then been called to Ermyntrude's side, so that she had a good deal of excuse for being out of temper.
Although Ermyntrude had chosen to have her dinner sent into the drawing-room on a tray, conversation between Hugh and the two girls was necessarily of a spasmodic nature, since the butler was continually coming in and out of the room. This helped to add to Mary's exasperation, and by the time the dessert was on the table, and they were finally rid of Peake, she was cross enough, and tired enough, to say angrily to Vicky: "Well, I hope you're satisfied with your work!"
"Artistes are never wholly satisfied, but I must say I thought it went with quite a swing," replied Vicky sunnily.
"It may interest you to know that I think you behaved disgustingly! I was absolutely ashamed of you!"
"But, darling, be fair!" begged Vicky. "You said only yesterday that you didn't know how on earth to get rid of Alexis."