The Countess Agatha laughed.
"I expect he has forgotten her, my dear, certainly she has forgotten him."
"I suppose so; but, just at first, it might be painful for them, and can one forget, like that?"
Miss Chressham took her musing face in her two fair hands and gazed absently at her own lovely reflection in the oval mirror opposite.
"Oh! my dear, you get too deep for me," the Countess smiled prettily; "it was vastly sad at the time, but now everything moves along quite properly, and Lavinia has behaved very well."
"She has acquired a manner," responded Miss Chressham, "and she has been discreet."
"Which is quite sufficient; but then you never liked her."
"How could I? No, I dislike her, and her maid."
"It is quite a pity," answered the Countess, "for really I can discern no fault in her; of course she was wild at first, and difficult; and, of course, she is only middle-class at heart now, but she is not in any way openly discreditable; indeed, she passes very well for a lady of fashion."
"That is not what I mean," said Miss Chressham. "I think there is mischief in her, and mischief in that Honoria Pryse; and I think it may be difficult, with Marius."