Beyond the Rocks

"But don't you like to feel what pleasure you gave them, the poor

things?" Theodora said, quite simply, without the least sarcasm. "You

see, I know you gave them pleasure, because my husband and I were some

of them--and we enjoyed it, oh, so much!"

And she smiled one of her adorable smiles which melted the heart of

every one else in the room. But of Lady Harrowfield she made an enemy

for life. The venomous woman reddened violently--under her paint--while

she looked this upstart through and through. But Theodora was quite

unconscious of her anger. To her Lady Harrowfield seemed a poor, soured

old woman very much painted and ridiculous, and she felt sorry for

unlovely old age and ill-temper.

Meanwhile, Lady Bracondale was being favorably impressed. She was a most

presentable young person, this wife of the Australian millionaire, she

decided.

Anne took the greatest pains to be charming to Theodora. They were

sitting together on a sofa when the men came into the room.

Hector could keep away no longer. He joined them in their corner, while

his face beamed with joy to see the two people he loved best in the

world apparently getting on so well together.

"What have you been talking about?" he asked.

"Nothing very learned," said Anne. "Only the children. I was telling

Mrs. Brown how Fordy's pony ran away in the park this morning, and how

plucky he had been about it."

"They are rather nice infants," said Hector. "I should like you to see

them," and he looked at Theodora. "Mayn't we have them down, Anne?"

Lady Anningford adored her offspring, and was only too pleased to show

them; but she said: "Oh, wait a moment, Hector, until some of these people have gone. Lady

Harrowfield hates children, and Fordy made some terrible remarks about

her wig last time."

"I wish he would do it again," said Hector. "She took the skin off every

one the whole way through lunch."

"But Colonel Lowerby told me she was one of the cleverest women in

London!" exclaimed Theodora; "and surely it is not very clever just to

be bitter and spiteful!"

"Yes, she is clever," said Anne, with a peculiar smile, "and we are all

rather under her thumb."

"It is perfectly ridiculous how you pander to her!" Hector said,

impatiently. "I should never allow my wife to have anything but a

distant acquaintance with her if I were married," and he glanced at

Theodora.