"Oh yes. I once, long ago, had a friend who lived there. I know it quite well."
"I have only a small flat, otherwise I would offer you hospitality."
"Oh—no," said the widow. "I can easily stay at the Carlton, the Ritz, or somewhere."
"Then think it over," said the pleasant woman from London.
"Yes, I will," replied the other. "We have many things in common, I believe, and I am sure that we shall be good friends."
"I'm delighted to hear that your thoughts coincide with my own. I make very few new acquaintances; I have so many old friends."
"And I make none. Not that I'm at all exclusive, I hope. But the majority of women I meet I find too shallow and frivolous, and they don't attract me."
"Then I consider myself highly honoured!" laughed Ena, as the pair rose to walk back to the Crianlarich Hotel to tea.
And while Mrs. Morrison of Carsphairn, ignorant of what was in progress, believed that she really had found a delightful friend—a woman after her own heart—the Red Widow smiled within herself, highly gratified at her success.
CHAPTER IX