"I should love it, but--I hate to be rude to poor Lady
Dauntrey."
"If I hadn't dedicated my life to a member of the clergy, I know what I
should want to say about Lady Dauntrey," Rose remarked, looking wicked.
"Can't you, Prince--well, not _say_ it, but do something to rescue Miss
Grant, without damage to any one's feelings?"
"I mean to," Vanno answered. "I wanted her to visit my brother and
sister-in-law, but--they're on their honeymoon, and----"
"I see," Rose interpolated. She did not volunteer the information that
her own honeymoon was but just ended. Evidently it was to be taken
quietly for granted that these two were engaged. She guessed that Prince
Vanno had hinted at the truth in order that she should not misconstrue
Mary's actions. He was almost forcing their relationship upon her
notice, and her husband's notice, as if to justify his being with the
girl unchaperoned.
"Not that we should have minded," Rose said to herself. "There's no room
in St. George's 'thought-bag' for any bad thoughts, it's so cram full of
good ones. And he's taught me how horrid it is, always rehearsing the
judgment day for one's friends."
She threw a warm-hearted glance at her husband, valuing his kindly
qualities the more because they two had just come from a tea-party, at a
villa where the alternative to bridge had been telling the whole truth
about people behind their backs, and digging up Pasts by the roots, as
children unearth plants to see if they have grown.
Pages:
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385