Page:The Outcry (London, Methuen & Co., 1911).djvu/29

Rh with your charming unconventional relation with him, extremely in Theign's confidence."

She waited a little as for more. "Is that your question—whether I am?"

"No, but if you are you'll the better answer it."

She had no objection then to answering it beautifully. "We're the best friends in the world; he has been really my providence, as a lone woman with almost nobody and nothing of her own, and I feel my footing here, as so frequent and yet so discreet a visitor, simply perfect. But I'm happy to say that—for my pleasure when I'm really curious—this doesn't close to me the sweet resource of occasionally guessing things."

"Then I hope you've ground for believing that if I go the right way about it he's likely to listen to me."

Lady Sandgate measured her ground—which scarce seemed extensive. "The person he most listens to just now—and in fact at any time, as you must have seen for yourself—is that arch-tormentor, or at least beautiful wheedler, his elder daughter."

"Lady Imber's here?" Lord John alertly asked.