Daniel tried to stem the tide.
“She’s been educated in Paris, mother. Lots of women smoke.”
“Not in our set, Dan, and not in the street, anyway!” Mrs. Carter sank into the chair. “Daniel, I—I’m mortified to death!”
“Nonsense! She’ll stop after a while—when she finds out you don’t like it. Never mind, mother, make the best of it. Very likely no one saw her but you.”
“Saw her!” Mrs. Carter sat up straight and stared at him. “Do you happen to know who are talking to William at this very minute, at the end of this street, just where she’s sure to meet them?”
Daniel laid down his pipe, turning a little pale.
“No,” he said slowly. “Who?”
“Colonel Denbigh and Virginia!”
Her son said nothing, but he turned his eyes slowly away and looked out of the window at the white lilac.
“Virginia Denbigh!” wailed Mrs. Carter. “Think, just think of Virginia smoking!”