And, hearing the breakfast-room door open, Lady Gwendolyn fled precipitately. The thing she could have least borne at this moment was an encounter with Lady Lenox, or any of her fast friends. Knocking at her sister-in-law’s door, she was told to enter. Lady Teignmouth was reclining on a couch, her face as white as her embroidered peignoir, and she looked startled and surprised at this sudden apparition. “Why, I thought you had gone back to the Grange!” she said. “I did go back,” returned the other coldly; “but I simply changed my dress, and returned on foot, as I wished to speak to you.” Lady Teignmouth knitted her brows, and did not seem overpleased. “I can’t imagine what you can have to say to me of so much consequence as that, Gwen. But you do take very ridiculous notions into your head at times. However, now you are here you may as well have a cup of coffee. I sent Clémentine to get me something, and”--with evident relief--“here she comes. Now make us comfortable, Clémentine; I am dreadfully hungry. I hope you have brought enough for two.” “There is half a chicken, and some ham, my lady.” “And I shall take nothing but a cup of coffee,” put in Lady Gwendolyn. “Nonsense, Gwen; it’s the greatest mistake in the world not to eat. When people lose their appetites they invariably lose their looks.” “I’ll take my chance of that,” replied Lady Gwendolyn coldly. “Do you want Clémentine?” she added, in a lower voice. “It is really necessary that I should speak to you at once.” “What, have you got mysteries as well as Colonel Dacre?” she exclaimed, with a levity that would have displeased Lady Gwendolyn at any time, and absolutely disgusted her now. “I am very unfortunate in my friends.” “I think you are,” replied Lady Gwendolyn, with involuntary sternness. Lady Teignmouth looked straight at her sister-in-law, flushed slightly, and then assumed a sulky air. “At any rate, Reggie doesn’t complain,” she said at last. “And if he is satisfied no one else has a right to interfere.” Lady Gwendolyn sipped her coffee, and was silent, waiting for Clémentine to go. But her sister-in-law evidently made work to detain her; not, perhaps, relishing the prospect of a tête-à-tête. However, at last she could not find any further excuse for her presence, and dismissed her. Nothing loath, Lady Gwendolyn opened her mouth to speak, then, but Pauline stopped her nervously. “I know you are going to say something disagreeable, that will spoil my appetite; and after being up all night, I really require support. Please, therefore, let me finish my breakfast before you begin.” “I am afraid I can’t; every moment is precious.” “I warn you fairly, I don’t believe you. However, I suppose you must have your own way,” returned Lady Teignmouth. And reaching out her hand for a silver flask that lay on the dressing-table, she poured half its contents into her coffee-cup, and drank it off like one well accustomed to potent drafts.