"That's very interesting and encouraging," said Her Excellency. "So she has been trying her hand on you already."
"I never thought of that," exclaimed Geoffrey. "Why, she knows that
Reggie is my best friend; and that I am married."
The judicial features of Lady Cynthia lightened with a judicial smile.
"You have been through so many London seasons, Captain Barrington, and there is still no guile in you!"
They walked on in silence past the temple terraces down a winding country lane.
"Captain Barrington, would you care to play the part of a real hero, a real theatre hero, playing to the gallery?"
Geoffrey was baffled. Had the talk suddenly swung over to amateur theatricals? Lady Cynthia was a terrible puller of legs.
"Did you ever hear of Madge Carlyle?" she asked, "or was she before your time?"
"I have heard of her."
She was a famous London cocotte in the days when mashers wore whiskers and "Champagne Charlie" was sung.