"We need not rake up the past," cried Mark, who would have preferred to avoid Bridget's name, which indeed had not been mentioned between them during the last few weeks.
"For that matter," she said, "my anxiety is practically a thing of the past."
"Is Colonel Faversham cooling off?"
"Not in the least. It is difficult not to feel rather sorry for him. He goes day after day—but then a fresh act has begun. Jimmy has appeared on the scene."
"Jimmy!" cried Mark in unfeigned surprise.
"He met her at our house some time ago," Carrissima explained. "It was really quite entertaining. Those two seemed to draw together on the instant, as if one were the magnet and the other the needle. Besides, I have the advantage of Sybil's confidences. Poor Sybil! I can assure you she is in the most dreadful state of mind."
"But do you imagine that Jimmy means business?" demanded Mark.
"According to Sybil, he is merely biding his time: waiting until a sufficient number of weeks have passed to enable him to come to the point with something like decency."
"If that's really the case," said Mark, "I can only say I am immensely pleased!"
"So am I," answered Carrissima, with quiet fervour.