It was natural that Lady Ogram should from the beginning have suspected Miss Bride of a peculiar interest in Lashmar.

When first she introduced her friend's name, Constance a little exaggerated the tone of impartiality, and in subsequent conversation she was never quite herself on this topic.

Evidently she thought of the young man more often than she cared to have it known; a sort of subdued irritation now and then betrayed itself in her when she assented to a favourable comment regarding him, and a certain suspense of judgment--quite unlike her familiar attitude of mind--always marked her agreement in hopes for his future.

The old woman of the world interpreted this by her own lights.

At moments it vexed her, for she did not like to be mystified; at others, it touched a chord of sympathy in some very obscure corner of her being.