Most of that which had been accomplished by Lord and
Lady Holme together after their reconciliation over the first breakfast
was undone. The silent tongue began to wag, and to murmur the usual
platitudes about the poor fellow who could not find sympathy at home and
so was obliged, against his will, to seek for it outside.
All this Lady Holme had foreseen as she sat in her box at the British
Theatre.
The wrong impression of her was enthroned. She had to reckon with it.
This fact, fully recognised by her, made her wish to walk warily where
otherwise her temper might have led her to walk heedlessly. She wanted to
do an unusual thing, to draw her husband's attention to an intimacy which
was concealed from the world--the intimacy between herself and Leo
Ulford.
After her visit to the house in Half Moon Street she began to see a great
deal of Leo Ulford. Carey had been right when he said that they would get
on together. She understood him easily and thoroughly, and for that very
reason he was attracted by her. Men delight to feel that a woman is
understanding them; women that no man can ever understand them. Under the
subtle influence of Lady Holme's complete comprehension of him, Leo
Ulford's nature expanded, stretched itself as his long legs stretched
themselves when his mind was purring. There was not much in him to
reveal, but what there was he revealed, and Lady Holme seemed to be
profoundly interested in the contents of his soul.
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