He cared not a straw for Ferrand, his coming, going, or his history; for, looking at Antonia, his heart was heavy. CHAPTER XXX THE LADY FROM BEYOND The morning was sultry, brooding, steamy. Antonia was at her music, and from the room where Shelton tried to fix attention on a book he could hear her practising her scales with a cold fury that cast an added gloom upon his spirit. He did not see her until lunch, and then she again sat next the Connoisseur. Her cheeks were pale, but there was something feverish in her chatter to her neighbour; she still refused to look at Shelton. He felt very miserable. After lunch, when most of them had left the table, the rest fell to discussing country neighbours. “Of course,” said Mrs. Dennant, “there are the Foliots; but nobody calls on them.” “Ah!” said the Connoisseur, “the Foliots--the Foliots--the people--er--who--quite so!” “It's really distressin'. she looks so sweet ridin' about. Many people with worse stories get called on,” continued Mrs. Dennant, with that large frankness of intrusion upon doubtful subjects which may be made by certain people in a certain way, “but, after all, one couldn't ask them to meet anybody.” “No,” the Connoisseur assented. “I used to know Foliot. Thousand pities. They say she was a very pretty woman.” “Oh, not pretty!” said Mrs. Dennant! “more interestin than pretty, I should say.” Shelton, who knew the lady slightly, noticed that they spoke of her as in the past. He did not look towards Antonia; for, though a little troubled at her presence while such a subject was discussed, he hated his conviction that her face, was as unruffled as though the Foliots had been a separate species. There was, in fact, a curiosity about her eyes, a faint impatience on her lips; she was rolling little crumbs of bread. Suddenly yawning, she muttered some remark, and rose. Shelton stopped her at the door. “Where are you going?” “For a walk.” “May n't I come?”. She shook her head. “I 'm going to take Toddles.” Shelton held the door open, and went back to the table. “Yes,” the Connoisseur said, sipping at his sherry, “I 'm afraid it's all over with young Foliot.” “Such a pity!” murmured Mrs. Dennant, and her kindly face looked quite disturbed. “I've known him ever since he was a boy. Of course, I think he made a great mistake to bring her down here. Not even bein' able to get married makes it doubly awkward. Oh, I think he made a great mistake!” “Ah!” said the Connoisseur, “but d' you suppose that makes much difference? Even if What 's--his-name gave her a divorce, I don't think, don't you know, that--” “Oh, it does! So many people would be inclined to look over it in time. But as it is it's hopeless, quite. So very awkward for people, too, meetin' them about. The Telfords and the Butterwicks--by the way, they're comin' here to dine to-night--live near them, don't you know.”