“Any news?” asked Minna.
“My dear . . .”
Mrs. Folyat wriggled with excitement.
“My dear. What do you think? Frederic took me and Jessie to the pantomime last night; I thought it vulgar and most unsuitable for children. And what do you think? Frederic and Jessie are engaged.”
“How clever of you, ma,” said Minna.
“I! I was entirely taken by surprise.”
Minna grinned:
“So was Wellington when he found he had won the battle of Waterloo.”
Francis gathered up his letters and the daily paper, a Conservative organ, together with the Church Times, and turned to Serge.
“If you can give me a moment or two,” he said, “I should like your opinion on a matter of some importance.”