Mrs. Belgrove peered at Lady Garvington through her lorgnette. "I think you talk a great deal of nonsense, Jane, as I said before," she observed. "I don't suppose for one moment that Agnes thinks of Noel, or Noel of Agnes." "Clara Greeby says--" "Oh, I know what she says and what she wishes. She would like to get Noel into trouble with Sir Hubert over Agnes, simply because he will not marry her. As to her chatter about burglars--" "Garvington's chatter," corrected her companion. "Well, then, Garvington's. It's all rubbish. Agnes is a sweet girl, and--" "Girl?" Lady Garvington laughed disdainfully. "She is twenty-five." "A mere baby. People cannot be called old until they are seventy or eighty. It is a bad habit growing old. I have never encouraged it myself. By the way, tell me something about Sir Hubert Pine. I have only met him once or twice. What kind of a man is he?" "Tall, and thin, and dark, and--" "I know his appearance. But his nature?" "He's jealous, and can be very disagreeable when he likes. I don't know who he is, or where he came from. He made his money out of penny toys and South African investments. He was a member of Parliament for a few years, and helped his party so much with money that he was knighted. That's all I know of him, except that he is very mean." "Mean? What you tell me doesn't sound mean." "I'm talking of his behavior to Garvington," explained the hostess, touching her ruffled hair, "he doesn't give us enough money." "Why should he give you any?" asked Mrs. Belgrove bluntly. "Well, you see, dear, Garvington would never have allowed his sister to marry a nobody, unless--" "Unless the nobody paid for his footing. I quite understand. Every one knows that Agnes married the man to save her family from bankruptcy. Poor girl!" Mrs. Belgrove sighed. "And she loved Noel. What a shame that she couldn't become his wife!" "Oh, that would have been absurd," said Lady Garvington pettishly. "What's the use of Hunger marrying Thirst? Noel has no money, just like ourselves, and if it hadn't been for Hubert this place would have been sold long ago. I'm telling you secrets, mind." "My dear, you tell me nothing that everybody doesn't know." "Then what is your advice?" "About what, my dear?" "About what I have been telling you. The burglar, and--" "I have told you before, that it is rubbish. If a burglar does come here I hope Lord Garvington will shoot him, as I don't want to lose my diamonds." "But if the burglar is Noel?" "He won't be Noel. Clara Greeby has simply made a nasty suggestion which is worthy of her. But if you're afraid, why not get her to marry Noel?" "He won't have her," said Lady Garvington dolefully. "I know he won't. Still a persevering woman can do wonders, and Clara Greeby has no self-respect. And if you think Noel is too near, get Agnes to join her husband in Pekin." "I think it's Paris." "Well then, Paris. She can buy new frocks."