be so unnecessary. She was disposed to laugh at the
care they took of her; feeling in her own mind, more triumphant, more
happy and fortunate, than she had ever been before.

As for Jock, he took no notice at all of the incident of the day. He
perceived with satisfaction, a point on which for the moment he was
unusually observant, that Sir Tom showed no intention of questioning
them as to their morning's expedition or opposing Lucy. This being the
case, what was it to the boy who went or came? A couple of ladies were
quite indifferent to him. He did not expect anything or fear anything.
His own doings interested him much more. The conversation about this new
subject floated over his head. He did not take the trouble to pay any
attention to it. As for Williams' significant looks or Lady Randolph's
anxieties, Jock was totally unconscious of their existence. He did not
pay any attention. When the party was not interesting he had plenty of
other thoughts to retire into, and the coming of new people, except in
so far as it might be a bore, did not affect him at all.

Lucy went out dutifully for a drive with Lady Randolph after luncheon.
It was still very bright, though it was cold, and after a little demur
as to the propriety of going out when it was possible her guests might
be coming downstairs, Lucy took her place beside the fur-enveloped
Dowager with her hot water footstool and mountain of wrappings. They
talked about ordinary matters for a little, about the landscape and the
improvements, and about little Tom, whose improvement was the most
important of all. But it was not possible to continue long upon
indifferent matters in face of the remarkable events which had disturbed
the family calm.

"I hope," said Lucy, "that Madame di Forno-Populo" (she was very
careful about all the syllables) "may not be more active than you think,
and come down while we are away."

"Oh, there is not the least fear," said Lady Randolph, somewhat
scornfully. "She was always a candle-light beauty. She is not very fond
of the eye of day."

"She is a beauty, then?" said Lucy. "I am very glad. There are so few.
You know I have always been--rather--disappointed. There are many pretty
people: but to be beautiful is quite different."

"That is because you are so unsophisticated, my dear. You don't
understand that beauty in society means a fashion, and not much more. I
have seen a quantity of beauties in my day. How they came to be so,
nobod