‘It was very bad taste on my part, I confess. Had I known how you were engaged, I would have waited five minutes longer.’
‘With all my heart, I wish that you had come an hour sooner!’
‘I told you that I did not require any explanation. Now that you have chosen to press one on me, what is the value of it? Absolument rien! The world is wide, and one kiss more or less is of little consequence.’ She rose, and crossed to the table and opened a book of photographs.
‘And that woman is Oscar Boyd’s wife!’ said Lady Dimsdale to herself as she looked after her. Her heart was very, very bitter.
Mrs Bowood turned as Estelle crossed to the table. ‘I am afraid you will think us all very inhospitable, Mrs Boyd,’ she said; ‘but it is your husband’s fault that you did not come in to luncheon. However, a tray will be ready for you in a few minutes. By-the-bye, has any one shown you your rooms?’
‘My rooms, madame! We—that is, my husband and I—are going to London by the next train. At least, that is what Oscar says.’
‘Going away by the next train! Mr Boyd had promised to stay a week, and why need he go away because you have arrived?’
‘I only know, madame, that he told me he was going away.’
‘That will never do. I must talk to him; and Captain Bowood must talk to him; and you, Lady Dimsdale, and you, Sir Frederick, must add your persuasions to ours to induce Mr Boyd not to run away from us in this sudden fashion. Next week we have two picnics and an archery meeting—and Mrs Boyd has been so long away from England!’
‘I am sure Mr Boyd can’t be hard-hearted enough to resist all our entreaties,’ said the Baronet. ‘The influence of Lady Dimsdale alone might’——