She caught Gaston's profile and the turn of his shoulder.
"Yes, like, Sophie; but Robert never had such a back, nor anything like the face." She spoke with no attempt to modulate her voice, and it carried distinctly to Gaston.

He turned and glanced at them.
"He's a Belward, certainly, but like what one I don't know; and he's terribly eccentric, my dear! Did you see the boots and the sash?
Why, bless me, if you are not shaking! Don't be silly--shivering at the thought of Robert Belward after all these years." So saying, Mrs.Warren Gasgoyne tapped Lady Dargan on the arm, and then turned sharply to see if her daughters had been listening.

She saw that they had; and though herself and not her sister was to blame, she said: "Sophie, you are very indiscreet! If you had daughters of your own, you would probably be more careful--though Heaven only knows, for you were always difficult!" With this they vanished up the staircase, Mrs.Gasgoyne's daughters, Delia and Agatha, smiling at each other and whispering about Gaston.
Meanwhile the seeker after a kingdom was shown into Sir William Belward's study.

No one was there.

He walked to the mantelpiece, and, leaning his arm on it, looked round.