Lawrence made an impatient movement. He was fond of Aunt Tishy, but he often wished she were not quite so inconsequent.
"I shall be down as soon as I can, you may be sure of that," he answered. "Are the same people here?"
"Yes, but Mrs. Blair goes this afternoon. Good-by, Rodney dear. I'll send you up a fine dinner."
Then Mrs. Ffolliott walked towards the door. But the young man recalled her.
"Aunt Tishy, where's Leander? He's only been here twice, and he was on the wing then. He isn't entertaining Mrs. Blair and the rest, is he?"
"Oh, no." Here Mrs. Ffolliott smiled approbatively, as she often did when her son was mentioned. "Lee says he's in the chaperon business."
"The chaperon business? What on earth does he mean by that?" Lawrence tried to speak amiably.
"Why, he's been boating and cycling with Prudence and Lord Maxwell a good deal."
Lawrence instantly averted his eyes from his companion's face. His voice had a deeper note in it, though it sounded quite indifferent, as he said:
"I didn't know Lord Maxwell was here."