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"'Tis nought. Only one of my stupid headaches. I am never well here, andthis house is stuffy," she answered fretfully.
"You should take the waters," he said, scrutinising, through hiseyeglass, the chair to which she had waved him. "It has an unstableappearance, my dear; I believe I prefer the couch." He moved to asmaller sofa and sat down.
"Pray, how long have you been in Bath?" she demanded.
"I arrived last Tuesday week."
Lady Lavinia started up.
"Last Tuesday week? Then you have been here ten days and not visited meuntil now!"
He appeared to be examining the whiteness of his hands through the foldsof black lace that drooped over them.
"I believe I had other things to do," he said coolly.
A book of sermons that she had been trying to peruse slid to the groundas Lavinia jerked a cushion into place.
"And you come to me when it suits you? How could you be so unkind as torefuse my invitation?"
There was a rising, querulous note in her voice which gave warning ofanger.
"My dear Lavinia, if you exhibit your deplorable temper to me, I shallleave you, so have a care. I thought you would understand that your goodhusband's society, improving though it may be, would be altogether toooppressive for my taste. In fact, I was surprised at your letter."
"You might have come for my sake," she answered peevishly, sinking backagain. "I suppose you have been dancing attendance on the Molesly woman?Lud! but I think you men have gone crazed."
Understanding came to his Grace, and he smiled provokingly.
"Is that what upsets you? I wondered."
"No, 'tis not!" she flashed. "And I do not see why you should think so!For my part, I cannot see that she is even tolerable, and the way themen rave about her is disgusting! Disgusting! But 'tis always the samewhen a woman is unattached and wealthy. Well! Well! Why do you not saysomething? Do you find her so lovely?"
"To tell the truth, my dear, I have barely set eyes on the lady. I havebeen otherwise engaged, and I have done with all women, for the time,save one."
"So I have heard you say before. Do you contemplate marriage? Lud! but Ipity the girl." She gave a jeering little laugh, but it was evident thatshe was interested.
His Grace was not in the least degree ruffled.
"I do not contemplate marriage, Lavinia, so your sympathies are wasted.I have met a girl--a mere child
, for sure--and I will not rest until Ihave her."
"Lord! Another farmer's chit?"
"No, my dear sister, not another farmer's chit. A lady."
"God help her! Who is she? Where does she live?"
"She lives in Sussex. Her name I shall not tell you."
Her ladyship kicked an offending cushion on to the floor, and snapped athim.
"Oh, as you please! I shall not die of curiosity!"
"Ah!" The cynical lips curled annoyingly, and Lady Lavinia was seizedwith a mad desire to hurl her smelling-bottle at him. But she knew thatit was worse than useless to be angry with Tracy, so she yawnedostentatiously, and hoped that she irritated him. If she did, she got nosatisfaction from it, for he continued, quite imperturbably:
"She is the daintiest piece ever a man saw, and I'll swear there's bloodand fire beneath the ice!"
"Is it possible the girl will have none of your Grace?" wondered Laviniain mock amazement, and had the pleasure of seeing him frown.
