“Nobody in particular,” answered Azalea. “That’s why I’m here,” she added, with an unusual touch of malice.
Mrs. Barrington was startled at this thrust. Into her eyes there shone a budding respect for the girl.
“Yes, but who are you? What’s your name?”
Azalea told her.
“Deane? Oh! You’re a great friend of the Dillings, then?”
“You seem surprised.”
“I am,” confessed the other woman. “I’ve heard of you, but—er—” she ran an appraising look over the reconstructed gown that had adorned the person of Lady Elton for three years—“I thought you would be different.”
“A doubtful compliment,” suggested Azalea.
“As you like,” returned Hebe, and seated herself at the piano.
Somewhat to Azalea’s surprise, Mrs. Barrington made no effort to capture Dilling when the men re-joined them. She turned the battery of her fascinations upon Pratt with an occasional shot at the Doctor. Dilling made his way directly to Azalea and dropped on the chair beside her.