Evelyn watched her with interest, but Lucy's next words were somewhat disappointing.
"Evelyn," she said, "how is it Mona has contrived to charm your father so? I need not tell you what I think about her, but, broadly speaking, she is not a man's woman, and I should not have fancied she was the sort of girl to fetch Sir Douglas at all."
"I don't think it strange," said Evelyn languidly. "I have often thought about it. You see, she is very like what my mother must have been at her age, though not nearly so charming to mere acquaintances; and then just where the dear old Mater stops short, the real Mona begins. It must be such a surprise to Father!"
"That is ingenious, certainly. How Mr Monteith admires your mother!"
"Does he?"
"I wonder what he would think of Mona!"
"I can't guess."
"Have you known him long?"
"Father and Mother have known his father long."
"Do you think he is honest?"