"Marion Andrews?" repeated Delia thoughtfully. Then, after a moment—"So you're not coming down to Maumsey any more?"
"Ask yourself what there is for me to do there, my dear child! Frankly, I should find the society of Mr. Winnington and Lady Tonbridge rather difficult! And as for their feelings about me!"
"Do you remember—you promised to live with me for a year?"
"Under mental reservation," said Gertrude, quietly. "You know very well, I didn't accept it as an ordinary post."
"And now there's nothing more to be got out of me? Oh, I didn't mean anything cruel!" added the girl hastily. "I know you must put the cause first."
"And you see where the cause is," said Gertrude grimly. "In ten days from now Sir Wilfrid Lang will have crushed the bill."
"And everybody seems to be clamouring that we've given them the excuse!"
Fierce colour overspread Gertrude's thin temples and cheeks.
"They'll take it, anyway; and we've got to do all we can—meetings, processions, way-laying Ministers—the usual things—and any new torment we can devise."
"But I thought you were going to Southsea!"