“Do you mean that he is a flirt?” she asked abruptly.
Madelene hesitated.
“Not exactly that,” she said. “He may flirt a little sometimes but there is no harm in that. But he would never consciously, intentionally go further than that. Still his very kind-heartedness has its weak point; he cannot bear to see any one unhappy. And he is impressionable and impulsive in some ways—I should be a little anxious about throwing any—very inexperienced girl much in his society.”
“But you and Ermine have always been thrown with him,” said Ella.
Miss St Quentin drew herself up a little.
“That is quite different,” she said. “I am, to all intents and purposes, older than Philip.”
“But Ermine is not,” thought Ella bitterly, though aloud she only replied, “Oh yes, of course.”
Ermine’s letters came nearly every day, bright and sunny, overflowing with fun and enjoyment. Now and then Madelene gave one, or a part of one to Ella to read, which the girl did eagerly, especially when Sir Philip’s name was mentioned, as was constantly the case.
“How much Ermine seems to be enjoying herself,” said Ella one morning. “When I am what you consider quite ‘out,’ Madelene, I may pay visits like this of hers, mayn’t I?”
They were at the breakfast-table. Colonel St Quentin, who by this time was as well as usual, overheard the remark.