I took HER for a refugee too: we rescued each
other!
He began to wonder if, after all, she were much
more than forty. Lady Beausedge shook out her boa and opened the Pall
MallGazette.
As Durand looked at her she looked at him. Likemost
shy men he was dazzled by unreasonable women.
Isaw that the curry was too strong for you, this
young lady insinuatinglydeclared. He tried to read the girls thin ironic face, but
her eyes and smile wereinscrutable.
Lady Beausedge shook out her boa and opened the
Pall MallGazette. People wont put upwith amateurs, Lady Ivy reinforced her. Her
blushes deepened, and she lost herself again in the abasing sense ofher inability to
explain.
Its literally the first thing thats ever happened
to her.
Come in to our canteen tonight and Ill tell you.
Lord Beausedge was as much in character as his wife; only he belonged toa later
period. The novelty,and all the old historic associations. Bless you, dont you
suppose I can guess whats happened. It would have spoilt all Aunt Audreys fun if
Lingerfieldhad known you werent a refugee.
I should know your spectacles anywhere, said Miss
ClioRushworth gaily.
Yes, her sister-in-law grudgingly
admitted.
She appealed to him with anxious eyes, and his own
sank behind hisprotecting spectacles. Eventhat was something to be thankful for; but
now he began to ask himself ifit were enough.
What right had he to bepretending to help a
refugee?
He was more and more bewildered, and ashamed of his
visibleincompetence.
Id no idea you were going up to town today,
Audrey.
With exquisite tact Miss Rushworth smiled away his
confusion.
Damned bad taste, all that sort of thing, he
remarked, and continuedhis reading. Do people here just chuck dinners like
that?
She poured the tea, and pushed his cup to him. He
tried to read the girls thin ironic face, but her eyes and smile wereinscrutable.
And, then, just as he had drawn this sage conclusion, he felt the suddenpounce of
the Duchesss eye. You know Im going to carry you off presently, she
said.
Come in to our canteen tonight and Ill tell
you.
But the Committee telephoned methis morning to come
up and meet a prima donna.