Cleone whirled about.
"Whom I would not marry were he the last man in the world!"
"Luckily he is not. Don't be so violent, my dear."
Cleone stood for a moment, irresolute. Then she burst into tears and ran out of the room.
Lady Malmerstoke leaned back against the cushions and closed her eyes.
"There's hope for you yet, Philip," she remarked, and prepared to go to sleep. It was not to be. Barely five minutes later Sir Maurice was ushered into the room.
Her ladyship sat up, a hand to her wig.
"Really, Maurice, you should know better than to take a woman unawares!" she said severely. "Your family has been in and out the house all the morning. What's the matter now?"
Sir Maurice kissed her hand.
"First, my heartiest congratulations, Sarah! I have just seen Tom."