“’Gad, you’re a lucky dog, Roxbury,” went on Freddie enviously.  “Money isn’t everything.  You’re married to one of the prettiest and most fascinating women in the world.  She’s a wonder.  You can’t blame me for wanting your wife as a sister-in-law.  Now, can you?  And that kid!  You lucky dog!”

CHAPTER V

THE FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY

Brock discovered in due time that he was living in a lofty but uncertain place, among the clouds of exaltation.  It was not until the close of the succeeding day that he began to lower himself grudgingly from the height to which Freddie’s ill-mannered confession had led him.  By that time he satisfactorily had convinced himself that no one but a fool could have suspected Constance of being in love with Ulstervelt; and yet, on the other hand, was he any better off for this cheerful argument?  There was nothing to prove that she cared for him, notwithstanding this agreeable conclusion by contrast.  As a matter of fact, he came earthward with a rush, weighted down by the conviction that she did not care a rap for him except as a conveniently moral brother-in-law.  He was further distressed by Edith’s comfortless, though perhaps well-qualified, announcement that she believed her sister to be in love; she could not imagine with whom; she only knew she “acted as if she were.”

“Besides, Roxbury,” she said warningly, “it’s a most degenerate husband who falls in love with his wife’s sister.”

They were walking in one of the mountain paths, some distance behind the others.  They did not know that Mrs. Odell-Carney had stopped to rest in the leafy niche above the path.  She was lazily fanning herself on the stone seat that man had provided as an improvement to nature.  Being a sharp-eared person with a London drawing-room instinct, she plainly could hear what they were saying as they approached.  These were the first words she fully grasped, and they caused her to prick up her ears: 

“I don’t give a hang, Edith.  I’m tired of being her brother-in-law.”

“You’re tired of me, Roxbury, that’s what it is,” in plaintive tones.

“You’re happy, you love and are loved, so please don’t put it that way.  It’s not fair.  Think of the pitiable position I’m in.”

“My dear Roxbury,” quite severely, “if there’s nothing else that will influence you, just stop to consider the che-ild!  There’s Tootles, dear Tootles, to think of.”

Of course Mrs. Odell-Carney could not be expected to know that Edith was blithely jesting.

“My dear Edith,” he said, just as firmly “Tootles has nothing to do with the case.  You know, and Constance knows, and I know, and the whole world will soon know that I’m not even related to her, poor little beggar.  I don’t see why she should come between me and happiness just because she happens to bear a social resemblance to a man who isn’t her father.  Come, now, let’s talk over the situation sensibly.”