Afterward she said to Miss Palliser:
"Did you ever see such self-possession, my dear? You know I might pardon my maid in exactly the same tone and manner."
"But you wouldn't ask your maid to tea, would you?" said Constance, gently amused.
"I might, if I could afford to," she nodded listlessly. "I believe that girl could do it without disturbing her Own self-respect or losing caste below stairs or above. As for the Van Dieman—just common cat, Constance."
Miss Palliser laughed. "Shiela Cardross refused the Van Dieman son and heir—if you think that might be an explanation of the cattishness."
"Really?" asked Virginia, without interest. "Where did you hear that gossip?"
"From our vixenish tabby herself. The thin and vindictive are usually without a real sense of humour. I rather suspected young Jan Van Dieman's discomfiture. He left, you know, just after Garret arrived," she added demurely.
Virginia raised her eyes at the complacent inference; but even curiosity seemed to have died out in her, and she only said, languidly:
"You think she cares for Garret? And you approve?"