She did not believe a word that Mr Alf had said to her.

She thought, and thought rightly, that Mr Alf's Mr Jones had taken direct orders from his editor, as to his treatment of the 'Criminal Queens.' But she remembered that she intended to write another book, and that she might perhaps conquer even Mr Alf by spirit and courage under her present infliction.
It was Lady Carbury's duty on the occasion to say pretty things to everybody.

And she did her duty.

But in the midst of it all she was ever thinking of her son and Marie Melmotte, and she did at last venture to separate the girl from her mother.

Marie herself was not unwilling to be talked to by Sir Felix.