Do you know where he is at the moment ?" "He is in London, I believe.

Then you really will stick to us and not be bored?
How sweet of you!" Lady Ethelrida said without a change in her level voice while her thoughts ran: "It is very plucky of Laura; or, she has some plan! In any case I can't prevent her coming now, and perhaps it is best to get it over.

But I had better warn Tristram, surprises are so unpleasant." Then, after a good deal of gush about "dear Lady Tancred's" prospective happiness in having a daughter-in-law, and "dear Tristram," Lady Highford's motor was announced, and she went.
And when she had gone Lady Ethelrida sat down and wrote her cousin a note.

Just to tell him in case she did not see him before she went back to the country to-morrow that her list, which she enclosed, was made up for her November party, but if he would like any one else for his bride to meet, he was to say so.

She added that some friends had been to luncheon, and among them Laura Highford, who had said the nicest things and wished him every happiness.
Lady Ethelrida was not deceived about these wishes, but she could do no more.
The Duke came into her room, just as she was finishing, and warmed himself by her wood fire.
"The woman is a cat, Ethelrida," he said without any preamble.