The widow was speedily made aware of these instructions, for when Lady Garvington came to stay with her sister-in-law at the sumptuous Mayfair mansion, she told her hostess about the conversation.  More than that, she even pressed her to marry Noel, and be happy.

“Money doesn’t do so much, after all, when you come to think of it,” lamented Lady Garvington.  “And I know you’d be happier with Noel, than living here with all this horrid wealth.”

“What would Freddy say if he heard you talk so, Jane?”

“I don’t know what else he can say,” rejoined the other reflectively.  “He’s never kept his temper or held his tongue with me.  His liver is nearly always out of order with over-eating.  However,” she added cheering up, “he is sure to die of apoplexy before long, and then I shall live on tea and buns for the rest of my life.  I simply hate the sight of a dinner table.”

“Freddy isn’t a pretty sight during a meal,” admitted his sister with a shrug.  “All the same you shouldn’t wish him dead, Jane.  You might have a worse husband.”

“I’d rather have a profligate than a glutton, Agnes.  But Freddy won’t die, my dear.  He’ll go to Wiesbaden, or Vichy, or Schwalbach, and take the waters to get thin; then he’ll return to eat himself to the size of a prize pig again.  But thank goodness,” said Lady Garvington, cheering up once more, “he’s away for a few weeks, and we can enjoy ourselves.  But do let us have plain joints and no sauces, Agnes.”

“Oh, you can live on bread and water if you choose,” said the widow good-humoredly.  “It’s a pity I am in mourning, as I can’t take you out much.  But the motor is always at your disposal, and I can give you all the money you want.  Get a few dresses—­”

“And hats, and boots, and shoes, and—­and—­oh, I don’t know what else.  You’re a dear, Agnes, and although I don’t want to ruin you, I do want heaps of things.  I’m in rags, as Freddy eats up our entire income.”

“You can’t ruin a woman with two millions, Jane.  Get what you require and I’ll pay.  I am only too glad to give you some pleasure, since I can’t attend to you as I ought to.  But you see, nearly three times a week I have to consult the lawyers about settling Freddy’s affairs.”

On these conditions four or five weeks passed away very happily for the two women.  Lady Garvington certainly had the time of her life, and regained a portion of her lost youth.  She revelled in shopping, went in a quiet way to theatres, patronized skating rinks, and even attended one or two small winter dances.  And to her joy, she met with a nice young man, who was earnestly in pursuit of a new religion, which involved much fasting and occasional vegetarian meals.  He taught her to eat nuts, and eschew meats, talking meanwhile of the psychic powers which such abstemiousness would develop in her.  Of course Lady Garvington did not overdo this asceticism, but she was thankful to meet a man who had not read Beeton’s Cookery Book.  Besides, he flirted quite nicely.