In a few brief words I told her that I had taken quarters in the hotel, that I should explain to her aunt that my presence in Edinburgh was connected with the Earl’s affairs, and that I desired to have a private chat with her after dinner.
“Something has happened, Willoughby,” she said apprehensively. “I see it in your face! What is it? Tell me?”
“Nothing very serious,” was my evasive reply, for I heard Lady Casterton’s high-pitched voice outside, and wished to conceal from the snappy old dowager that the real object of my visit was to see Lolita.
Next instant the old lady entered, dressed in black and wearing a smart cap of fine old lace. Much surprised at my presence, she greeted me and commenced inquiring after the Earl and the Countess, remarking that she intended to join the house-party in November as she had to make a visit to Lord Penarth in Wales before coming to us.
“We’ve had a most delightful time at Strathpeffer—Lolita and I,” she remarked. “And as I wanted to pay a few visits about Edinburgh, we’re just here for a few days. Of course you knew from George that we were here?”
“Yes,” I replied. “I have some business to do for him in Edinburgh, so I thought I would put up here.”
And then, in obedience to the gong, we all three descended into the large dining-room of the hotel. A good many people were present, but no woman so beautiful or brilliant as Lady Lolita Lloyd.
I noticed how the guests turned to look at her, and then to whisper among themselves, for her beauty was remarkable and her photographs often appeared in the ladies’ papers, just as did those of Mangold. A pretty woman with a title is always remarked in a hotel.
We sat at our small table chatting affably through the meal, yet I saw how intense was her desire to know the true reason of my presence. That I had some distinct object in coming north she could not doubt, and was therefore anxious for the long meal to end and for opportunity to speak with me alone.
Old Lady Casterton was a typical dowager of the days of class distinction—a stout, well-preserved, white-haired person who regarded the world through her lorgnon with an air of wonder, as though she were examining some interesting species. She stared at all common people, who felt themselves uncomfortable ’neath her gaze, and generally spoke in a tone loud enough to be heard by all in the vicinity. She was youngest sister of the old Earl of Stanchester, and had married the Earl of Casterton, who afterwards became one of England’s most famous generals, and had been left a widow of very large and wealthy estate.