It was all very disturbing, Elizabeth felt, but she said no more. Horatia returned to town next day, and the Winwoods heard of her thereafter through the medium of the post and the Gazette. Her letters were not very illuminating, but it was apparent that she was enjoying a life full of social engagements.
Elizabeth heard more direct tidings of her from Mr Heron upon the occasion of his next visit into the country.
“Horry?” said Mr Heron. “Well, yes, I have seen her, but not quite lately, my love. She sent me a card for her drum Tuesday se’nnight. It was a very brilliant affair, but you know I am not in the way of going out a great deal. Still I did go there,” he added. “Horry was in spirits, I thought.”
“Happy?” Elizabeth said anxiously.
“Oh, certainly! My lord too was all amiability.”
“Did he seem—could you tell whether he seemed fond of her?” Elizabeth asked.
“Well,” said Mr Heron reasonably, “you would not expect him to display his affection in public, dearest. He was just as he always is. A little amused, I thought. You see, Horry seems to have become quite the rage.”
“Oh, dear!” said Miss Winwood, with deep foreboding. “If only she does not do anything shocking!” A glance at Mr Heron’s face made her cry out: “Edward, you have heard something! I beg you will tell me at once!”
Mr Heron made haste to reassure her. “No, no, nothing in the world, my love. Merely that Horry seems to have inherited the Fatal Tendency to gamble. But nearly everyone plays nowadays, you know,” he added soothingly.
Miss Winwood was not soothed, nor did an unexpected visit a week later from Mrs Maulfrey do anything to alleviate her alarms.