"
"Ah, you see one takes life easily, on the whole," said Lord
Warburton. "And then you know we're very dull. Ah, we can be dull when
we try!"
"I should advise you to try something else. I shouldn't know what to
talk to your sister about; she looks so different. Is that silver
cross a badge?"
"A badge?"
"A sign of rank."
Lord Warburton's glance had wandered a good deal, but at this it met
the gaze of his neighbour. "Oh yes," he answered in a moment; "the
women go in for those things. The silver cross is worn by the eldest
daughters of Viscounts." Which was his harmless revenge for having
occasionally had his credulity too easily engaged in America. After
luncheon he proposed to Isabel to come into the gallery and look at
the pictures; and though she knew he had seen the pictures twenty
times she complied without criticizing this pretext. Her conscience
now was very easy; ever since she sent him her letter she had felt
particularly light of spirit. He walked slowly to the end of the
gallery, staring at its contents and saying nothing; and then he
suddenly broke out: "I hoped you wouldn't write to me that way."
"It was the only way, Lord Warburton," said the girl.
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