"There will be one happy marriage among my acquaintances," she thinks to herself, as she sees them so radiant, so engrossed. "And, indeed, they deserve it. Fancy, thirteen years' constancy, and in our age, too! It seems like a veritable romance!"
One evening they go to the theatre; the piece is Robertson's comedy, "Caste," and as Lauraine takes her seat and glances round the well-filled house she sees in the box opposite the well-known figures of Mrs. Bradshaw Woollffe, and her niece, and Keith Athelstone. Of course, they see her directly, and exchange bows, Keith keeps at the back of the box, and behind the radiant little figure of his fiancée.
Lady Etwynde is deeply annoyed at the contretemps. As for Lauraine, all the pleasure of the evening is spoilt for her.
After the second act she sees Keith leave the box. A few moments afterwards he appears in their own.
"I am the bearer of a message from Mrs. Woollffe," he says to Lady Etwynde, after greetings have been exchanged. "She says I am to insist on your all coming to supper with her. She has secured one or two professional and literary celebrities, and it will be very charming. She won't take no. There, I have delivered my message verbatim."
He speaks hurriedly, and a little nervously. Colonel Carlisle looks at his "ladye love," and declares he is quite ready to accept if she is. Lady Etwynde, seeing how calm and indifferent Lauraine appears, is at a loss what to say.
"We, I mean Lady Vavasour and I, were——" she stammers. Lauraine looks quickly up—
"I should be delighted to meet such charming society," she says. "I am quite ready to waive our previous engagement if you are, Etwynde."
So there remains nothing but to accept, and Keith retires to inform Mrs. Woollffe of the success of his mission.
"You are sure you do not mind?" asks Lady Etwynde kindly, as she bends forward to her friend, when they are alone.