Miss Pink's
reception of her dog had additionally irritated the old lady. She had
taken a malicious pleasure in shocking the schoolmistress's sense
of propriety--and she was now only too ready to proceed to further
extremities on the delicate question of Isabel's justification for
leaving her house. For Isabel's own sake, therefore--to say nothing of
other reasons--it was urgently desirable to keep the peace between the
two ladies. With this excellent object in view, Mr. Troy seized his
opportunity of striking into the conversation for the first time.
"Pardon me, Lady Lydiard," he said, "you are speaking of a subject which
has been already sufficiently discussed between Miss Pink and myself. I
think we shall do better not to dwell uselessly on past events, but to
direct our attention to the future. We are all equally satisfied of
the complete rectitude of Miss Isabel's conduct, and we are all equally
interested in the vindication of her good name."
Whether these temperate words would of themselves have exercised the
pacifying influence at which Mr. Troy aimed may be doubtful. But, as he
ceased speaking, a powerful auxiliary appeared in the shape of the beer.
Lady Lydiard seized on the jug, and filled the tumbler for herself with
an unsteady hand. Miss Pink, trembling for the integrity of her carpet,
and scandalized at seeing a peeress drinking beer like a washer-woman,
forgot the sharp answer that was just rising to her lips when the lawyer
interfered.
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