“Very kind of him, I am sure,” replied her sister-in-law, with a bitter smile. “Do you know, I feel quite grateful.” Lady Teignmouth walked along at her side, and lowered her voice to say: “I dare say you do feel annoyed about it all; but it really was best he should take it as he did, and I have been a perfect model of discretion ever since. Reggie and I get on charmingly nowadays; and just think what a scandal it would have created, supposing we had separated!” CHAPTER XVI. GWEN AND PAULINE. “I see you are not changed, Pauline,” said Lady Gwendolyn; “it was always self with you, and always will be. My sufferings are nothing so long as you run no risk!” “Oh! but you are not suffering, I am sure,” answered Lady Teignmouth. “You are looking exceedingly well, and handsome, and the whole affair has blown over so comfortably, there’s no reason why you should not resume your proper position in society. I am afraid Reggie won’t let me chaperon you--at least, just yet; but there is Mrs. O’Hara. She is not particular.” “Possibly; but I am,” returned Lady Gwendolyn, with angry hauteur; “so particular, indeed, that, if Reggie were willing I should go out with you, I should decline the doubtful honor!” “You are very severe, my dear,” said Lady Teignmouth uneasily; “and yet, I ought not to be annoyed with you, since, in the eyes of the world, I have certainly the best of it!” “You would be sure to take care of that! But, really, Pauline, you are forgetting that you are a ‘model of discretion,’ nowadays.” “How?” “Why, is it prudent to be seen walking with me? If we were to meet any one we knew----” “But I told you the whole affair had blown over. We should not have returned to England if it had not been for that.” Lady Gwendolyn turned upon her almost fiercely: “Then cross the Channel, both of you, as quickly as you can, for you have urged me so far between you that now I don’t care what I do, and I mean to be happy my own way for a few months, even if the whole world follows your and Reggie’s example, and hunts me down afterward. Do you understand? Reggie has cast me off at your bidding, therefore I feel independent of you all.” “But you won’t do anything dreadful, Gwen?” pleaded Lady Teignmouth. “I am sure Reggie will come round in time, and we shall be comfortable together again.” “Comfortable together again!” repeated the girl, with an accent of withering scorn. “Fancy my being comfortable with you, or staying under your roof! I really don’t think I am ever likely to fall quite so low as that.”