imagine. You’re mistaking my character, Lady Norah. I’m not the hero of this piece. There are several gentlemen from among whom you can choose one for that effective part. Lots of candidates for it! But I’m the villain. Consequently you must be prepared for my receiving your news with devilish glee.”

      “Well, you haven’t seen it – and I have.”

      “Well put!” he allowed. “How did it happen?”

      “Over something I said to her – something horrid.”

      “Well, then, why am I – ?” Lynborough’s hands expostulated eloquently.

      “But you were the real reason, of course. She thinks you’ve turned us all against her; she says it’s so mean to get her own friends to turn against her.”