'I happen to know that is Mrs. Loftus.'
Sibyl, with her back to the arch, could hear every word on the other side of it. Doll was not near enough. This was indeed delightful! How lucky that she and Peggy had come dressed alike!
'Which is Mr. Loftus?' said the woman's voice eagerly. 'I have heard so much about him.'
'That tall, thin, fine-looking old chap with his hands behind his back, standing by the Bishop. The Union Jack domino is speaking to him.'
'So that is he. I have always wished to see him. He looks tired to
death.'
'He always looks like that. Quite a character, though, isn't he?'
'He has an interesting face. But it was a disgraceful thing, his marrying a pretty young girl, and an heiress, at his age.'
Sibyl made a sudden movement, and the other couple glanced round. They saw her, but her primrose domino had taken the pink of her surroundings, and they suspected nothing.
'I'm not so sure. His nephew stands up for him, though his uncle cut him out, and his nephew ought to know. I fancy there was more in that marriage than outsiders suspect. I've heard it said more than once that she fell head-over-ears in love with him, and he married her out of pity.'