"That will do!" interrupted Mrs. Gantry.
"I'll leave it to Lord Avondale. Isn't it the exact truth?"
"Er—he still looks rather robust," parried Lord James.
"You know what I mean. But I didn't think she'd behave in this dog-in-the-manger fashion. She might have at least given me a chance for a tete-a-tete with him, even if he is her hero."
"I am only too well aware what Lord Avondale will think of you, going on in this silly way," observed Mrs. Gantry.
"If Lord Avondale doesn't like me and my manners, he needn't. Need you,
Mr. Scarbridge?"
"But how can I help liking you?" asked the young Englishman with such evident sincerity that the girl was disconcerted. She flashed a bewildered glance into his earnest face, and turned quickly away, her cheeks scarlet with confusion.
"Ah, Earl," purred her mother, "I fully appreciate your kindness. She is Genevieve's cousin. You are therefore pleased to disregard her gaucheries."
"Ho! so that's it?" retorted Dolores. "Lord Avondale needn't trouble to disregard anything about me."
"Believe me, I do not, Miss Gantry," replied Lord James. "I find you most charming."