"How unnecessary of Andrew! And how typical! So 'poor Dick' has been squeezed already?"
"Don't speak like that, Tracy!" she cried. "Dicky is good to me!" She met his piercing look unflinchingly.
"Now this becomes interesting," drawled the Duke. "Since when have you come to that conclusion? And why this sudden loyalty?"
"I have always been loyal to him, Tracy! You know I have! I worry him-and indeed he is very forbearing."
"But how charming of him!"
"No, do not sneer, Tracy! He has promised to take me to London for the whole winter-"
His Grace leant back in his chair again.
"Now I understand," he said placidly. "I was at a loss before."
"'Tis not that, Tracy! Indeed I realise how kind he is to me. And we have quarrelled again. We are always quarrelling, and I know 'tis all my fault."
"What a comfortable conviction, my dear!"
"No, no! 'Tis not comfortable, Tracy! For somehow I cannot change my disposition, though I mean to be patient and sweet. Tracy, I hate Wyncham!"
"You hate Wyncham? There was a time-"
"I know, I know! But I never meant to live here always like this! I want to go to London!"
"I thought you said you were going?"
"Yes, I am! But I want to go with someone who is gay-not-not-"
"In fact, you want distraction, and not with the amiable Richard? Well, I can conceive that life with him might prove uninspiring. Safe, my dear, but not exciting."
"I knew you would understand! You see, he does not like me to play at cards, because I cannot stop! And he cannot see how 'tis that I care nought for what he calls 'home-life' when there are routs, and the play, and real life. He-he is so-so-so staid, Tracy, and careful!"
"A good trait in a husband, Lavinia," replied his Grace cynically. "'Tis because I do not possess it that I am single now."
Her lips curled scornfully at this, for well she knew her brother.
"No, Tracy, that is not so! It is because you are a devil! No woman would marry you!"
"That is most interesting, my dear," purred his Grace. "But pray strive to be a little more original. Continue your analysis of Richard's sterling character."
"'Tis only that we are so different," she sighed. "I always desire to do things quickly-if I think of something, I want it at once-at once! You know, Tracy! And he likes to wait and think on it, and-oh, 'tis so tiresome, and it puts me in a bad humour, and I behave like a hysterical bourgeoise!" She got up swiftly, clasping her nervous little hands. "When he speaks to me in that gentle, reasoning way, I could scream, Tracy! Do you think I am mad?" She laughed unmusically.