‘There is one thing,’ he said, ‘that one ought to do before giving an opinion. Has Lady Portcullis ever shown any interest? I have met her; she is very commonplace--one of the rigid English. Oh! very English. You do not know her? she has not sought your acquaintance? Would she?--has she ever?--do you think it is likely----?’ Lady William laughed again, but uneasily, painfully. ‘You are a sorcerer, Leo--this is the doubt I have never mentioned to any one--not to Mab herself, not to my brother. Do I think it is likely----? Since you ask me, I must answer no; my pride prevented me from saying it--not even to your mother did I say it--but she--ah!’ Lady William broke off again, still laughing--and the evening was beginning to fade, but Leo thought he could see the hot flush on her cheek. ‘I am not my mother’s champion,’ he said; ‘she has her peculiarities. She may have thought it would embroil you with the family.’ ‘That,’ said Lady William, ‘was the least of what she thought!’ ‘Dear lady,’ he said, ‘here is some mystery. You know that I am of your faction whatever happens. But you must tell me before I can do any good.’ Lady William did not make any immediate reply. She said at last: ‘Artémise: if you can bring me to speech of Artémise, I shall want nothing more.’ Then with a change of tone--‘Here is Mab coming back; no more of it--no more of it! there has been too much already. Mab, Leo is waiting till you give him some tea.’ ‘Give it me strong and sweet,’ said Leo, who had jumped up from his low chair with perhaps a touch of embarrassment--but Lady William felt none--‘sweet and strong; for my head is a little confused, and I want it clear.’ ‘Is it all about me and my father’s people? That is very good of you, Mr. Leo,’ said Mab, ‘to take so much interest--and have you converted mother to my way of thinking?--which is the thing I want most.’