“She is sweet to all her subjects. He is now a subject. To-morrow he will be regarded as an object. You heard what she said about the overlapping of class distinctions? A shot at me.”
“I took it to myself, Cis.”
“It was meant for me—or, rather, for the future Lady Wilverley.”
“One last word, Cis. I repeat—you are wonderful. Now, if it will help at all, pile up the agony on me.”
“And lose you? I can’t risk that. Besides, my trump card with mother will be that I am acting on my own, as I am. You are a brick, all the same.”
Tiddy sped down the drive.
As she pedalled away she remembered that Grimshaw had not alluded to their meeting just outside Upworthy. Cicely had murmured coolly to him: “You have met Miss Tiddle?” and he had bowed. She wondered whether a clever man was aware that he had given himself away with a wince?
VI
Left alone with Lady Selina, Grimshaw gave the real reason for his visit.
“I am placed in an abominable situation,” he said abruptly. “You will believe, Lady Selina, that I should not bother you on Sunday afternoon without some cause.”