That is Dolly's way. As Miss Phaeton says, she means no harm,
and it is admirably conducive to the pleasure of a tete-a-tete.

"It wasn't that I wanted to ask you about," she continued, after she had
indulged in a pensive sigh (with a dutifully bright smile and a glance
at Archie's photograph to follow. Her behavior always reminds me of
a varied and well assorted menu). "It was about something much more
difficult. You won't tell Archie, will you?"

"This becomes interesting," I remarked, putting my hat down.

"You know, Mr. Carter, that before I was married--oh, how long ago it
seems!"

"Not at all."

"Don't interrupt. That before I was married I had several--that is to
say, several--well, several--"

"Start quite afresh," I suggested encouragingly.

"Well, then, several men were silly enough to think themselves--you
know."

"No one better," I assented cheerfully.

"Oh, if you won't be sensible!--Well, you see, many of them are Archie's
friends as well as mine; and, of course, they've been to call."

"It is but good manners," said I.

"One of them waited to be sent for, though."

"Leave that fellow out," said I.

"What I want to ask you is this--and I believe you're not silly, really,
you know, except when you choose to be."

"Walk in the Row any afternoon," said I, "and you won't find ten wiser
men."

"It's this. Ought I to tell Archie?"

"Good gracious! Here's a problem!"

"Of course," pursued Lady Mickleham, opening her fan, "it's in some ways
more comfortable that he shouldn't know."

"For him?"

"Yes--and for me. But then it doesn't seem quite fair."

"To him?"

"Yes--and to me. Because if he came to know from anybody else, he might
exaggerate the things, you know."

"Impossible!"

"Mr. Carter!"

"I--er--mean he knows you too well to do such a thing."

"Oh, I see. Thank you. Yes. What do you think?"

"What does the Dowager say?"

"I haven't mentioned it to the Dowager."

"But surely, on such a point, her experience--"

"She can't have any," said Lady Mickleham decisively. "I believe in
her husband, because I must. But nobody else! You're not giving me your
opinion."

I reflected for a moment.

"Haven't we left out one point to view?" I ventured to suggest.

"I've thought it all over very carefully," said she; "both as it would
affect me and as it would affect Archie."

"Quite so. Now suppose you think how it would affect them?"

"Who?"

"Why, the men."

Lady Mickle