"You are not looking well, my dear," she said, almost tenderly, for she had taken a serious fancy to the lovely girl.
Azalia knew that Lord Clive was listening angrily for her reply, and answered, truthfully:
"I have been unhappy over something, Mrs. Meredith, and it has made me feel almost ill!"
"Unhappy! What, my dear girl, with all your blessings!" exclaimed the astonished matron; and she could not help letting her glance fall on Lord Clive, who frowned and moved restlessly in his seat.
"Ah, it is only a lover's quarrel!" she thought, astutely; and hastily led the conversation to something less personal than Miss Brooke's looks.
There was a slight break in the conversation, and to her horror Azalia heard Jewel saying:
"I know you have often wondered, Lady Ivon, why I fainted the night when I first met your beautiful niece, Miss Brooke."
Lady Ivon coughed slightly, and answered, with cool politeness:
"I merely supposed the rooms were too warm for you, Miss Fielding."
"Ah, no, it was not that!" said Jewel. Her handsome head, in its plumed bonnet of ruby plush, was thrown backward, and her eyes had a malicious light, her mouth a wicked, defiant smile, as if some secret, exultant thought moved her to speech.