"Exactly! A pleasant girl in a London suburb!" Esmeralda's voice was full of ineffable condescension. "There are thousands of them, and no doubt they are charming in their way, but not for Jack. He owes a duty to the family as well as himself, and you ought to tell him as much. You really ought, Bridgie! Speak to him at once, before it goes too far!" "Suppose you speak to him yourself! When you are so hot upon it, it's a pity to leave it to me." "No, I'd rather not. Jack is so stupid about taking advice. He would snap my nose off if I said anything." "I really don't see why my nose is not as valuable as yours! Why should I do your disagreeable work for you?" retorted Bridgie with spirit. "You did not know that Geoffrey was a rich man when you promised to marry him, and it's the last thing I would think of myself, so why should we expect any more of Jack? I am not going to interfere, whatever happens, and if you take my advice you won't mention Sylvia's name to him!" "I don't intend to, but--" Esmeralda shut her lips tightly over an unspoken determination. There are more ways than one of nipping in the bud an incipient love affair, but she did not care about confiding her latest inspiration to any hearer, least of all to Bridgie, who would have given up her most cherished plans rather than hurt the feelings of a fellow-creature. She changed the subject, and talked lightly on impersonal topics until the moment of parting drew near, when there came a sudden softening over the beautiful face, and she said in gentle, diffident tones-- "I didn't like to ask before, but I can't leave without knowing, darling. Have you heard?" Bridgie shook her head mutely, and the lines which Pixie had noticed deepened round her eyes and mouth, but the eyes smiled still--a brave, steady smile. "I never shall hear now, Joan. I've made up my mind to that." "I don't know how you bear it! I can't think how you manage to be so composed and cheerful! If Geoff had treated me like that, it would have soured me for life. You were never sour from the first, and now you seem quite happy. Yet, as Pixie says, you have a pathetic look which shows that you have not really forgotten. You still care, Bridgie dear?"