In a few days
Kitty's triumph went the way of all earthly things. At a Court ball, to
which her vanity had looked forward, unwarned, the Prince passed her
with glassy eyes, returning the barest bow to her smiling courtesy. She
betrayed nothing; but somehow the thing got out, and set in motion a
perfect hurricane of talk. It was rumored that the old Prime Minister,
Lord Parham, had himself said a caustic word to Lady Kitty, that Royalty
was annoyed, and that William Ashe had for once scolded his wife
seriously.
Lady Tranmore was well aware that there was, at any rate, no truth in
the last report; but she also knew that there was a tone of sharpness in
the London chatter that was new with regard to Kitty. It was as though a
certain indulgence was wearing out, and what had been amusement was
passing into criticism.
She and Margaret French discussed the matter a little,
sotto voce,
while Margaret went on with the invitations and Lady Tranmore made a
French toy dance and spin for the babe's amusement. Their tone was one
of close and friendly intimacy, an intimacy based clearly upon one
common interest--their relation to Kitty.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176