"Mrs. Lawless, who is this Miss Webber?"
Marie stared at her.
"Dorothy Webber? She is my friend; we were at school together."
"My poor child! If you think she is your friend you are being dreadfully deceived—dreadfully."
"I don't know what you mean."
Mrs. Heriot dabbed her eyes to wipe away imaginary tears.
"I hate to see people deceived," she said. "I hate people who make scandal and mischief. I am only telling you for your own sake and because you and I have always been friends; but yesterday—down on the golf links."
Marie broke in with pale lips:
"Mrs. Heriot, I would much rather you said no more. It is of no interest to me—I beg of you, please . . ."
But Mrs. Heriot was enjoying herself too much to stop. She had always disliked Marie, and she hated Dorothy because she had appeared to be on more friendly terms with Chris than she herself. She went on, refusing to be silenced.