Mr. Vermont bowed low over her extended hand, as over that of an
empress.
"I hope your ladyship is well?" he asked.
"Quite, thank you, Mr. Vermont," she said with cold indifference. "I
suppose you have come down to see Adrien? He started for London before
breakfast this very morning."
"So I have just heard," he returned sweetly.
"I am not greatly surprised, as Lady Merivale was asking after him last
night. I expect she summoned him."
The girl's face paled ever so slightly, though she strove to give no
sign that his shaft had hit home. Adrien had received a letter that
morning, as she knew, one having been brought up to her by mistake.
"Very likely," she said imperturbably. "I daresay he had to attend to
some business too."
"Adrien is very changeable," Vermont said reflectively, "one can never
count on his movements; following him is like wild duck shooting, down
the river on Monday, and up the Fens on Tuesday. I'm sorry I missed him,
though, for I have several papers which he must see."
Lady Constance tried to appear sympathetic.
"It is a pity you weren't earlier," she said with a smile. "Still, I
daresay you know where to find him.
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