Something unintelligible followed in a low voice, that Dorris recognized as the thin man's, and a light gush of laughter ensued.
"Well, and whose character is being thrown to the lions now? Oh, don't tell me, I know from the sound of that laugh that scandal's about. Is it poor me?" cried the cheerful voice of Mrs. Allonby at this juncture. She was rather breathless, as if she had just climbed up from somewhere.
"You scented the battle from afar, Mrs. Allonby. Well, you shall have your share of the spoil," said the Oxonian. "Here's a nice soft stone for a seat. It's only the beauty of Miss Boundrish that's on toast. I say she's ripping, and they say I'm rude to say it."
"I think her perfectly lovely. Those coral lips, that velvet brow——"
"Ah, you're charring now, Mrs. Allonby——"
"No, I really do admire the girl's face immensely if only——"
"Ah!" interjected the thin man piously, "that fatal 'if,' that always qualifies the admiration of ladies for each other!"
"Well, anyhow I guess it's a pretty big if this time, ain't it, Mrs. Allonby?" Mrs. Dinwiddie asked.
"Beasts," reflected the fair being above them. "Of course, all the men are for me and all the women against!"
"I was only about to regret," Ermengarde replied meekly, "that manners in that quarter scarcely match the beauty of the face."