"What are his particular virtues? It's monotonous to possess them all." The slight note of insolence was hardly disguised.
"No two friends of his would give you the same answer. I should give you a different catalogue, for instance, from Lady Tonbridge—"
"Lady Tonbridge!" cried Delia, waking up at last. "You don't mean that
Lady Tonbridge lives in this neighbourhood?"
"Certainly. You know her?"
"She came once to stay with us in the West Indies. My father knew her very well before she married. And I owe her—a great debt"—the last words were spoken with emphasis.
Mrs. France looked enquiring.
"—she recommended to us the lady who is now living with me here—my chaperon—Miss Marvell?"
There was silence for a moment. Then Mrs. France said, not without embarrassment—
"Your father desired she should live with you?"
Delia flushed again.