“Old Alymer is taking quite a long holiday,” he said. “We were expecting him on Tuesday or Wednesday, but he never turned up. He was at the Temple on Thursday, but went away again in the evening.”
“I hope Lorraine isn’t ill?” she said anxiously; “but of course if she is, she would have sent for Jean.”
“Is he away with Miss Vivian?” Dick asked in some surprise.
“Yes; I made him go,” loyally. “He had scruples, but really they seemed too silly, and Lorraine looked so ill, and he always has the knack of cheering her up and doing her good.”
Dick looked at her doubtfully.
“I hope you were wise,” he said; “but they are rather fascinating people, you know.”
“Oh, nonsense! Lorraine is quite eleven years older than Alymer, and she only likes to look at him.”
Dick had it in his mind to suggest there had been a far greater disparity between her and Sir Edwin, but he only said:
“Well, he is good to look at, isn’t he?… and such a dear old chap. Nothing seems to spoil him. And of course Miss Vivian has done an awful lot for him. If she wanted him to go, he could hardly refuse.”
“That’s just what I said,” with a little note of triumph. “And Jean told me Lorraine had said in a letter she was having absolute rest, and feeling much better.”