“Rose had enough brains for two,” returned Mrs. Carruthers.
“Yes, but no looks. Most unfortunate arrangement for a woman. She has to marry a man stupid enough not to know she’s got them. She’s staying with Cecily Kingslake.”
“Oh, tell me about the Kingslakes,” asked Mrs. Carruthers, with interest. “They were just married the last time I met them. I used to think Cecily so pretty. What a mistake to make such a poor match!”
“You should see her now,” returned Lady Wilmot, composedly.
“Gone off?”
“Gone under. Buried beneath honeysuckle and green stuff. The worst of love in a cottage is that love doesn’t last, and the cottage does.”
“But I thought Robert was getting on? Some one was talking about his last book the other day, and saying——”
“Yes, quite lately he’s been making money. There was always a popular streak in Robert which only needed working. Some woman’s shown him where it lies, and he’s got it in full swing now, so the guineas are beginning to roll in.”
“Why some woman?”
Lady Wilmot chuckled. “Don’t you know our Robert? A clever woman laughs when she sees him coming.”