"Oh yes, quite all right," was the answer. "You will say he looks splendid, though I don't take any credit to myself for that, because he always did. I thought so the very first time I saw his photograph at your house. I haven't the remotest notion where he has gone and I never inquire. That's my theory of matrimony. Perhaps you are surprised to hear I have a theory of any kind; but no," said Bridget, "of course you're more likely to go to the opposite extreme. You can't help regarding me as a horrid sort of schemer!" "All's well that ends well," returned Carrissima, with a smile. "Ah! but, you see, it isn't the end!" said Bridget. "It's only the beginning. We're not living in one of those novels where marriage is the end of all things. But Jimmy and I always go our separate ways and the consequence is when we meet we're generally quite glad to see each other. Such an immense mistake to imagine that any two people can tell one another everything." "Is it?" murmured Carrissima, who clung to a vastly different ideal. "What bores we should become!" said Bridget. "And, you know, whatever you do to a man you must never bore him--poor fellow! But, please, don't encourage me to talk about myself--not that I really need much encouragement. I feel so perfectly delighted with everything!--how is Mark?" she added, abruptly changing her tone. "He looked very well the last time I saw him," replied Carrissima, at once on guard. "When was that?" "A few days ago!" "You don't appear to have any interesting announcement to make," suggested Bridget, with expressive eyes on Carrissima's face. Now, Carrissima hesitated. She could easily have answered in such a way that her hostess, with all her audacity, would have been silenced. "I haven't spoken to Mark," she faltered, "since your marriage." "How disappointing!" cried Bridget. "So, after all my efforts you didn't follow the advice I gave you." "No," said Carrissima. "Why not?" "Oh well, I couldn't," said Carrissima, and Bridget shrugged her shoulders as if to put the topic aside. "Did the colonel tell you," she inquired, "that Jimmy is going to stand for Atlinghurst? Between us we are going to accomplish the most wonderful things. He always insists that his mind is too independent for the House of Commons, but I tell him a man must expect to sacrifice some of his independence when he marries." "In spite of all your theories!" suggested Carrissima. "Of course," Bridget continued, "I quite understand that most people believe Jimmy sacrificed a great deal more than that! Your brother Lawrence, for instance! Oh dear, I can imagine exactly what he says! Carrissima, there's one thing which makes me angry!" "Only one?" said Carrissima.