"What General?—Lennox—eh?" inquired Varbarriere.
"Yes. What's your question, Lady Alice?" said the Baronet, turning to that lady, and happily not observing an odd expression in Varbarriere's countenance.
"No question; he has not been to London," answered the old lady, drawing her shawl which she chose to dine in about her, chillily.
"Is it anything I can answer?" threw in Lady Jane, who, superbly tranquil as she looked, would have liked to pull and box Lady Alice's ears at that moment.
"Oh no, I fancy not; it's only the old question, when are we to see the General; is he coming back at all?"
"I wish anyone could help me to an answer," laughed Lady Jane, with a slight uneasiness, which might have been referred to the pique which would not have been unnatural in a handsome wife neglected.
"I begin to fear I shall leave Marlowe without having seen him," said Lady Alice, peevishly.
"Yes, and it is not complimentary, you know; he disappeared just the day before you came, and he won't come back till you leave; men are such mysterious fellows, don't you think?" said Sir Jekyl.
"It doesn't look as if he liked her company. Did he ever meet you, Lady Alice?" inquired Sir Paul Blunket in his bluff way, without at all intending to be uncivil.
"That, you think, would account for it; much obliged to you, Sir Paul," said Lady Alice, sharply.