She wondered whether Grace Stepney had gone out of her mind.

"What do you mean by her gambling debts ?" "Simply that if one plays bridge for money in Lily's set one is liable to lose a great deal--and I don't suppose Lily always wins." "Who told you that my niece played cards for money ?" "Mercy, cousin Julia, don't look at me as if I were trying to turn you against Lily! Everybody knows she is crazy about bridge.

Mrs.Gryce told me herself that it was her gambling that frightened Percy Gryce--it seems he was really taken with her at first.

But, of course, among Lily's friends it's quite the custom for girls to play for money.

In fact, people are inclined to excuse her on that account----" "To excuse her for what ?" "For being hard up--and accepting attentions from men like Gus Trenor--and George Dorset----" Mrs.Peniston gave another cry.