“Oh yes, it seemed quite the natural thing to do,” answered Carrissima, unable to repress a sigh as she remembered the train of circumstances which had followed her visit to Golfney Place.

“That sounds as if you wish you hadn’t done it!” he suggested.

“Have you seen her yet?” asked Carrissima, perceiving her opportunity.

“No,” said Mark; “but I’ve listened to a good deal about her.  Lawrence is great on the subject.  By Jove! according to him she might be the complete adventuress.  He insists she has been trying her hand on the colonel—­not without success!”

“Does the suggestion strike you as being inconceivable?” demanded Carrissima.

“Oh well, you forget that I have been away for more than a month.  I have no means of forming an opinion——­”

“Your previous experiences!” said Carrissima; and Mark stared at the carpet.

His previous experiences of Bridget had, no doubt, proved entirely agreeable.  During Carrissima’s absence from London in the weeks after Christmas, when he had no occupation for his idle hands, he had certainly spent many enjoyable hours at Number 5, Golfney Place, and it had been necessary on more than one occasion to remind himself that discretion was the better part of valour.

If it had not been for Carrissima, the temptation to meet Bridget’s apparently “coming-on disposition” half way would have become more acute, and without any idea of a closer relationship, he might perchance have gone farther over night than he would have thought desirable the next morning.

Without being a coxcomb, Mark Driver, during those evening interviews, had been inclined to think that this was precisely what Bridget desired; but then again, he reasoned himself into the opinion that she must be entirely innocent of any such idea, which was due, rather, to his own less well-ordered imagination.  And, besides, there was Carrissima!

“Goodness knows,” he answered at last.  “I came here this afternoon to check Lawrence’s opinion by your own.”

Now it was Carrissima’s turn to hesitate.  She wished to play the game and not for the world would she attempt to belittle Bridget if Mark desired to exalt her.  On the other hand any reluctance to express a candid opinion might appear suspicious in his eyes!

“Oh well,” she said, “there are certain facts which can’t be disputed.  You must draw your own conclusions.  Bridget lets father take her to the play; to all sorts of places; she receives him every day in the week, and he buys her presents.  On the few occasions when I have seen them together,” Carrissima added, “he has made himself—­well, I, if it were not for my filial respect, I should say ridiculous.”

“Of course,” answered Mark, “it’s easy enough to believe that the colonel admires her.  Any man must!  All I can say is that if Lawrence has any justification I am immensely sorry.”

For what?  Carrissima wondered.  Was he sorry for her sake, or for his own?  Because Colonel Faversham was by way of winning Bridget, or because he himself had consequently lost her?