"What would I give to be you?" she cried. "A Duchess sitting down just round the corner for one! How glorious!"
She spoke as Wagnerians of "Parsifal," and at that moment she worshipped her friend. But Mrs. Verulam made a petulant moue and said, almost with acrimony:
"I really believe there is only one way in which I could do what I wish; that is, without going to live in some other country, which I don't care to do."
"What way is that?"
"If I were to compromise myself seriously. Now, if I were married, I should have a weapon against the assaults of society."
"I don't quite see how."
"Dear Chloe, really you are not quite clever. I could be divorced, don't you see?"
A shadow came suddenly into Mrs. Van Adam's dark and boyish face.
"Divorced," she faltered. "Would—would that help you much?"