She saw the glint in the light hazel eyes as she described the fiance and her kind heart at once made her determine to turn the conversation.
After all, it was perfectly natural for poor Laura to have been in love with Tristram--no one could be more attractive--and, of course, it must hurt her--this marriage.

She would reserve the "putting off," until they left the dining-room and she could speak to her alone.

So with her perfect tact and easy grace she diverted the current of conversation to the political situation, and luncheon went on.
But this was not what Lady Highford had come for.

She wanted to hear everything she could about her rival, in order to lay her plans; and the moment Ethelrida was engaged with the politician and the Duke had turned to Mrs.Radcliffe, she tackled the cousin, in a lower voice.
He, Jimmy Danvers, had only read what she had, that morning.

He had seen Tristram at the Turf on Tuesday after lunch--the day before yesterday--and he had only talked of Canada--and not a word of a lady then.