Lady Calverly followed suit by declaring that Mr. Purling was a pattern young man, everyone gave him so good a character.  They did hope to see him at Compton Revel directly he got back to England.

Then Miss Fanshawe metaphorically prostrated herself before Mrs. Purling, and by judicious phrases and ready sympathy completely won her good-will.

“You certainly made an impression upon her, Phillipa,” said Lady Calverly afterwards.

“She is a vain and rather silly old woman,” Miss Fanshawe replied.  Language that might have opened Mrs. Purling’s eyes.

“But I am very glad you became such good friends.  Purlington is a very desirable place.”

Here, then, was a faint clue to the mystery of Mrs. Purling’s tardy reception at Compton Revel.  Intrigue—­not necessarily base, but covered by the harmless phrase, “It would be so very nice”—­was at work to bring about a match between Miss Fanshawe and Harold Purling.  She was one of a large family of girls and her father was an impoverished peer.  Besides, her career so far had not been an unmixed success.  Lady Gayfeather’s young ladies had the reputation of being the “quickest” in the town.

“I have met the son,” went on Lady Calverly.

“Yes?” Phillipa’s tone was one of absolute indifference.

“He is a gentleman.”

“I have always heard of him as a solemn prig—­’Old Steady’ he was named at college.  I confess I have no special leaning to these very proper and decorous youths.”

“Do not say that you are harping still on that old affair.  I assure you Gilly Jillingham is unworthy of you.  You are not thinking still of each other, I sincerely hope?”

“I may be of him,” said Phillipa bitterly.  “He is not likely to think of any one—­but himself.”

“I shall never forgive myself for surrendering you to Lady Gayfeather.  Nothing but misery seems to hang about her and her house.  This last affair—­”

There had been a terrible scandal, not many months old, and hardly forgotten yet, which had roused Lady Calverly to remove her cousin, Phillipa Fanshawe, from the evil influences of Lady Gayfeather’s set.  Whether or not the rescue had come in time it would be difficult to say.  Miss Fanshawe could hardly escape scot-free from her associations, nor was it to her advantage that rumour had bracketed her name with that of a successful but not popular man of fashion.  There had been a talk of marriage, but he had next to nothing; no more had she.

“We must have an end to all that,” said Lady Calverly decisively.  “You must promise me to forget Mr. Jillingham for good and all.”

“Of course,” replied Phillipa; but the pale face and that sad look in her weary eyes belied her words.

It seemed as if she had shot her bolt at the target of life’s happiness, and that the arrow had fallen very wide of the gold.

CHAPTER III.