“Well—yes, frankly, perhaps there would have been. Barnstaple did say something about it, but I told him I couldn’t think of affording it, and I couldn’t. Don’t be bitter about it; but we need money—money—money so horribly.”
“I am not bitter in the least. I merely asked out of curiosity.”
“Oh, my dear, when one is young and beautiful one would be a fool to be bitter about anything. You probably think me a devil, but if you knew what my life has been! To-day I’m in one of my moods. I’m sorry it happened so, and I hate myself for being nasty, but I can’t help it. I haven’t any particular reason for being; they just come down on me, and I want to scratch everybody’s eyes out. I may be as cheerful as a lark, and as amiable as a kitten for a week. You have no idea what a popular little person I am!”
Lee’s anger had passed, giving way to a commingling of curiosity, disgust and pity. Was this a sample of engrafted America? She asked if there were any other English-Americans staying at the Abbey.
Lady Barnstaple scowled, and the scowl routed what little youth she had left. “I’m not on speaking terms with a single American but yourself and Lady Arrowmount, and I barely know her. I adore the English, but the jealousy and rivalry of other Americans! But I’m sent in ahead of the ones I hate most! I am!—I am! It’s been war to the knife between three of us for years now, and I’ve got to go under, because I haven’t the money to smash ’em. That is one reason why I’m a bit off my head about Cecil not having married a million. With a rich and beautiful— But here comes your maid. I must go to mine. I’ll swear you shall think me an angel to-morrow.”
CHAPTER III
LEE found no time to think that night. As soon as her maid had left her, Cecil entered from his dressing-room and said that his father would like to see her for a moment before they joined the guests in the library.
“I saw Emmy for a few minutes, and she said she had been to see you—and many complimentary things.”
“How kind of her!”
“Didn’t you like her? Most people do.”