Now Lady Aspenick wanted to use the road very much indeed--and not merely the road for her tandem, so sadly famous in history, but also the turf alongside it for her canters. But in the first place Lady Aspenick was herself a model of propriety, and in the second--it was an even weightier consideration--she had a growing girl; Eunice Aspenick was now nearly sixteen--and rode with her mother. Supposing Lady Aspenick and Eunice used the road, supposing Jenny were guilty of enormities, came back guilty of them, and discovered Lady Aspenick, with Eunice, on the road! Lady Aspenick's problem was worse than Mrs. Jepps's--because of Eunice on the one hand, and of Lady Aspenick's remarkably strong desire to use the road on the other. This question of the road--work on the Institute at a standstill--no more parties at Breysgate (what of the Flower Show next summer?)! Verily Jenny was causing endless inconvenience! It would not be just to say that this difficulty about the road--and Eunice--determined Lady Aspenick's attitude toward Jenny; it is perhaps permissible to conjecture that it led her to reconsider it. After the lapse of a fortnight she came out on Jenny's side, and signified the same by calling on Chat at Breysgate Priory. Chat and I sometimes consoled one another's loneliness at afternoon tea; I was present when Lady Aspenick arrived. We had our lesson pat--so long as we were not cross-examined. Jenny was wintering abroad; Chat's health (this was our own supplement) had made traveling inadvisable for her, and Jenny had found other companions. Lady Aspenick was most affable to the story; she admitted it to belief at once. Sympathy with Chat, pleasure at not being deprived of Chat's society, kind messages through Chat to Jenny--all came as easily and naturally as possible. Not an awkward question! It was with real gratitude that I conducted Lady Aspenick to her carriage. But she had a word for me there. "I didn't want to talk about it to that poor old thing," she said, "but have you any--news, Mr. Austin?" "None, except what I've told you. She isn't a great letter-writer." "They're saying horrid things. Well, Sarah Lacey would, of course. I can't see any reason for believing them. I'm on her side! One may wonder at her taste--one must--but she has a right to please herself, and to take her own time about it. Of course that night journey--!" Lady Aspenick smiled in a deprecating manner. "Impulsive!" I observed. Lady Aspenick caught at the word joyfully. "That's it--impulsive! That's what I've always said. Dear Jenny is impulsive--that's all!" She got into her carriage and ordered the coachman to drive her to Mrs. Jepps's. She was going to tell Mrs. Jepps that Jenny was impulsive--going by the road through the park to tell Mrs. Jepps that it was no more than that.