After they had talked London and Paris for a few minutes Lady Ingleton changed the subject, and with a sort of languid zest, which was intended to conceal a purpose she desired to keep secret, began to speak of Pera and of the happenings there while she had been away. Various acquaintances were discussed, and presently Lady Ingleton arrived, strolling, at Dion Leith.
“Mr. Leith is still here, isn’t he?” she asked. “Carey hasn’t seen him lately but thinks he is about.”
“Oh yes, he is still here,” said Mrs. Clarke’s husky voice.
“What does he do? How does he pass his time?”
“I often wonder,” replied Mrs. Clarke, squeezing a lemon into her cup, which was full of clear China tea.
She put the lemon, thoroughly squeezed, down on its plate, looking steadily at her friend, and continued:
“You remember last summer when I asked you to be kind to him, and told you why I was interested in him, poor fellow?”
“Oh yes.”
“I really thought at that time it would be possible to assist him to get back into life, what we understand by life. You helped me like a true friend.”
“Oh, I really did nothing.”