The Freak wagged his head gloomily.
"No; a weak strain, I fear."
"I hope--I hope," said Mrs. Botley-Markham, evidently choosing her words with care and tact, "that the weakness does not extend to Gipsy."
Then Gipsy was connected with the Stantons! Freak would have to walk warily. But at this moment his attention was wandering in the direction of our hostess, who was beginning to exhibit symptoms of upheaval with a view to withdrawal. He replied carelessly:--
"No. Why should it?"
Mrs. Botley-Markham, a little offended and flustered at being taken up so sharply, replied with exaggerated humility:--
"I only meant, dear Sir Arthur, that if one sister is delicate, possibly another may be slightly inclined--"
Then Isobel and Gipsy were sisters. I knew it!
At this moment the hostess gave the mystic sign, and the company rose. Freak turned a sad and slightly reproachful gaze upon Mrs. Botley-Markham.
"You are forgetting, dear lady," he said gently. "Isobel and Gipsy are not related. Isobel was the sister of my poor first wife."