She was sitting in Mrs. Werner's gorgeous drawing-room as she said this, and her eyes rested as she spoke on a great vase of flowers which somehow brought back the gardens of Lord Darsham's place to memory.
Those gardens had once belonged to the Mortomleys. Was it owing to having married such women as herself the Mortomleys were sunk so low? Dolly asked herself this question solemnly, while Mrs. Werner remained silent; then Mrs. Werner's hand rested on hers caressingly.
"Dolly," she said, "I only wish I had such a temper as you possess. My dear, you win love where I cannot."
"Ay, Leonora," was the reply, "but what is love without respect? You love, but you never respected me. I love and respect you too."
"Dolly, darling"—thus Mrs. Werner,—"I have an uneasy feeling that some day it may be necessary for me to remark I have misjudged you all through our acquaintanceship. But how we are drifting! What about the maid?"
"I will take her."
"Certainly. Mrs. Seymour was satisfied; you are satisfied. Who am I that I should not be satisfied also? Send the girl to me. I will do the best I can with her."
"Faults and all, Dolly?"
"Leonora, I love people who are faultless; but it is in my nature to adore those who are full of faults."