Page:The Fate of Fenella (1892).djvu/78

 CHAPTER VI.

next morning Jacynth called upon his sister and explained to her that he wished her to extend a helping hand to Lady Francis Onslow. He had told Fenella that his sister Helen was "a good sort—a genuine woman," and he was, therefore, disagreeably surprised when he found the view that lady took of the situation.

"Lady Francis Onslow?" she said, raising her eyebrows. "She is separated from her husband, is she not?"

"Yes, but it is not her fault," answered Jacynth quickly. "Onslow treated her very badly."

"I remember something about it," said his sister. "I think there was a kind of shuffling of the cards and a new deal. Lord Francis took up with a Frenchwoman and his wife consoled herself with M. de Mürger. Is not that the story?"

"It is a garbled account of it. Lady Francis was perfectly innocent," said Jacynth hotly.

"I have no doubt, but all the same I think I would rather have nothing to say to her. It is always a foolish thing to interfere between husband and wife." 63