‘No chance for Laura now,’ said Mrs Bowood to herself. ‘How fortunate this woman did not come a day later.’
Mrs Bowood had left the room-door wide open, and at this juncture her eye caught sight of Lady Dimsdale, who was passing along the corridor on her way to the side-door that opened into the grounds. ‘Laura, Laura! come here,’ she called. ‘I want to introduce you to Mrs Boyd.’
‘The woman he kissed!’ muttered Estelle between her teeth.
‘Checkmate for my Lady Disdain,’ remarked Sir Frederick to himself with a shrug.
Lady Dimsdale hearing herself called by name turned back, and entered the room. She looked a little paler than ordinary, but was perfectly composed. Going straight up to Estelle, she held out her hand. ‘Mrs Boyd and I have met already,’ she said in her most matter-of-fact tone.
‘Ah, oui,’ answered Estelle with a shrug, as she took the proffered hand for a moment and then let it drop.
‘Met before!’ exclaimed Mrs Bowood in amazement.
‘A couple of hours ago,’ said Lady Dimsdale.
‘For one minute only,’ explained Estelle.
‘Then I must introduce you.—This is Lady Dimsdale, one of my dearest friends.—Laura—Mrs Boyd.’