Letters came almost every day from Kirkbank Castle, letters from Lesbia describing the bright gay life she was living at that hospitable abode, the excursions, the rides, the picnic luncheons after the morning’s sport, the dinner parties, the dances.

‘It is the most delightful house you can imagine,’ wrote Lesbia; ’and Lady Kirkbank is an admirable hostess.  I have quite forgiven her for wearing false eyebrows; for after all, you know, one must have eyebrows; they are a necessity; but why does she not have the two arches alike?  They are never a pair, and I really think that French maid of hers does it on purpose.

’By-the-bye, Lady Kirkbank is going to write to you to beseech you to let me go to Cannes and Monte Carlo with her.  Sir George insists upon it.  He says they both like young society, and will be horribly vexed if I refuse to go with them.  And Lady Kirkbank thinks my chest is just a little weak—­I almost broke down the other night in that lovely little song of Jensen’s—­and that a winter in the south is just what I want.  But, of course, dear grandmother, I won’t ask you to let me be away so long if you think you will miss me.’

‘If I think I shall miss her!’ repeated Lady Maulevrier.  ’Has the girl no heart, that she can ask such a question?  But can I wonder at that?  Of what account was I or my love to her father, although I sacrificed myself for his good name?  Can I expect that she should be of a different clay?’

And then, meditating upon the events of the summer that was gone, Lady Maulevrier thought—­

She renounced her first lover at my bidding; she renounces her love for me at the bidding of the world.  Or was it not rather self-interest, the fear of making a bad marriage, which influenced her in her renunciation of Mr. Hammond.  It was not obedience to me, it was not love for me which made her give him up.  It was the selfishness engrained in her race.  Well, I have heaped my love upon her, because she is fair and sweet, and reminds me of my own youth.  I must let her go, and try to be happy in the knowledge that she is enjoying her life far away from me.’

Lady Maulevrier wrote her consent to the extension of Lesbia’s visit, and by return of post came a letter from Lesbia which seemed brimming over with love, and which comforted the grandmother’s wounded heart.

’Lady Kirkbank and I are both agreed, dearest, that you must join us at Cannes,’ wrote Lesbia.  ’At your age it is very wrong of you to spend a winter in our horrible climate.  You can travel with Steadman and your maid.  Lady Kirkbank will secure you a charming suite of rooms at the hotel, or she would like it still better if you would stay at her own villa.  Do consent to this plan, dear grandmother, and then we shall not be parted for a long winter.  Of course Mary would be quite happy at home running wild.’