But presently the mischievous perversity in her bubbled up again; she was tired of being good; she had often meant to try the effect of a gentle shock on Miss Erroll; and, besides, she wondered just how much truth there might be in the unpleasantly persistent rumour of the girl's unannounced engagement to Selwyn.
"It _would_ be amusing, wouldn't it ?" she asked with guileless frankness; "but, of course, it is not true--this report of their reconciliation." "Whose reconciliation ?" asked Miss Erroll innocently.
"Why, Alixe Ruthven and Captain Selwyn.

Everybody is discussing it, you know." "Reconciled?
I don't understand," said Eileen, astonished.

"They can't be; how can--" "But it _would_ be amusing, wouldn't it?
and she could very easily get rid of Jack Ruthven--any woman could.

So if they really mean to remarry--" The girl stared, breathless, astounded, bolt upright in her saddle.
"Oh!" she protested, while the hot blood mantled throat and cheek, "it is wickedly untrue.

How could such a thing be true, Mrs.Fane! It is--is so senseless--" "That is what I say," nodded Rosamund; "it's so perfectly senseless that it's amusing--even if they have become such amazingly good friends again.