“Exactly—moulting.”
Lady Holme meant as she walked down the gallery; to stop and speak a few gay words to Miss Schley and her husband, but when she drew near to their table Lord Holme was holding forth with such unusual volubility, and Miss Schley was listening with such profound attention, that it did not seem worth while, and she went quietly on, thinking they did not see her. Lord Holme did not. But the American smiled faintly as Lady Holme and Robin disappeared into the hall. Then she said, in reply to her animated companion:
“I’m sure if I am like Lady Holme I ought to say Te Deum and think myself a lucky girl. I ought, indeed.”
Lady Holme had not been in the ballroom five minutes before Leo Ulford came up smiling.
“Here I am,” he remarked, as if the statement were certain to give universal satisfaction.
Robin looked black and moved a step closer to Lady Holme.
“Thank you, Mr. Pierce,” she said.
She took Leo Ulford’s arm, nodded to Robin, and walked away.
Robin stood looking after her. He started when he heard Carey’s voice saying:
“Why d’you let her dance with that blackguard?”