The consul was a chatty man, who kept himself well informed concerning society events.
“By the way,” he said to Phyllis, “did you ever meet Lady Dyke?”
“No, her name is not familiar to me.”
“Do you mean the wife of Sir Charles Dyke?” said Mensmore; and the sudden interest he evinced caused Phyllis to glance at him wonderingly.
“Yes, that is she.”
“I know Sir Charles well. What is there new about his wife?”
“She is dead.”
“Good Heavens! Dead! When, and how?”
Mensmore was so obviously agitated that others present noticed it, and Phyllis marvelled much that in all their confidence the name of Dyke had never escaped his lips.