ay what is agreeable, which makes women
so untrustworthy. But my advice is, take Chatty home. In the
circumstances it is the only thing to do."

Chatty rose from where she had been seated by Lady Markland's side. "Am
I to be hidden away?" she said, her pale face flushing nervously. "Have
I done anything wrong?"

"How silly to ask such questions. You know well enough what I mean. You
have been talked about. My mother has more experience; she can tell you.
A girl who has been talked about is always at a disadvantage. She had
much better keep quite quiet until the story has all died away."

"Mother," cried Chatty, holding out her hands, "take me away then
to-night, this moment, from this horrible place, where the people have
so little heart and so little sense."

CHAPTER XLVII.

"What was Chatty saying to you? I rely upon your good sense, Frances,
not to encourage her in this sentimental folly."

"Is it sentimental folly? I think it is very true feeling, Theo."

"Perhaps these are interchangeable terms," he said, with the angry smile
she knew so well; "but without discussing that matter I am determined
that this business shall go no farther. A sister of mine waiting for a
married man till he shall be divorced! the very thought makes my blood
boil."

"Surely that is an unnecessarily strong statement. The circumstances
must be taken into consideration."

"I will take no circumstances into consideration. It is a thing which
must not be. The Cavendishes see it in precisely the same light, and my
mother,--even my mother begins to hear reason."

Lady Markland made no reply. They were walking home, as their house was
close at hand, a house taken for the season, in which there was not the
room and space of the country, nor its active interests, and which she,
having come there with much hope in the change, would already have been
glad to exchange for Markland, or the Warren, or almost any other place
in the world. He walked more quickly than suited her and she required
all her breath to keep up with him; besides that she was silenced by
what he said to her, and did not know how to reply.

"You say nothing," he continued after a moment, "from which I conclude
that you are antagonistic and mean to throw your influence the other
way."

"Not antagonistic: but I cannot help feeling very much for Chatty, whose
heart is so much in it, more perhaps than you think."

"Chatty's heart doesn't trouble me much," he said