mber if I've asked
you," she said, resting her firm elbows on the tea-table while she took
a light from Susy's cigarette.

Susy hesitated. She had foreseen that the time must soon come when she
should have to give some account of herself; and why should she not
begin by telling Ursula?

But telling her what?

Her silence appeared to strike Mrs. Gillow as a reproach, and she
continued with compunction: "And Nick? Nick's with you? How is he, I
thought you and he still were in Venice with Ellie Vanderlyn."

"We were, for a few weeks." She steadied her voice. "It was delightful.
But now we're both on our own again--for a while."

Mrs. Gillow scrutinized her more searchingly. "Oh, you're alone here,
then; quite alone?"

"Yes: Nick's cruising with some friends in the Mediterranean."

Ursula's shallow gaze deepened singularly. "But, Susy darling, then if
you're alone--and out of a job, just for the moment?"

Susy smiled. "Well, I'm not sure."

"Oh, but if you are, darling, and you would come to Ruan! I know Fred
asked you didn't he? And he told me that both you and Nick had refused.
He was awfully huffed at your not coming; but I suppose that was because
Nick had other plans. We couldn't have him now, because there's no room
for another gun; but since he's not here, and you're free, why you
know, dearest, don't you, how we'd love to have you? Fred would be too
glad--too outrageously glad--but you don't much mind Fred's love-making,
do you? And you'd be such a help to me--if that's any argument! With
that big house full of men, and people flocking over every night to
dine, and Fred caring only for sport, and Nerone simply loathing it and
ridiculing it, and not a minute to myself to try to keep him in a good
humour.... Oh, Susy darling, don't say no, but let me telephone at once
for a place in the train to morrow night!"

Susy leaned back, letting the ash lengthen on her cigarette. How
familiar, how hatefully familiar, was that old appeal! Ursula felt the
pressing need of someone to flirt with Fred for a few weeks... and here
was the very person she needed. Susy shivered at the thought. She had
never really meant to go to Ruan. She had simply used the moor as a
pretext when Violet Melrose had gently put her out of doors. Rather than
do what Ursula asked she would borrow a few hundred pounds of Strefford,
as he had suggested, and then look about for some temporary occupation
until--

Until she became Lady Altringham