“It’s very strange,” she answered, with a certain air of sympathy.  “That’s really all I can say.  It’s impossible to have any opinion about such a personal matter, which doesn’t in the least concern me.”

“Please remember, aunt,” put in May, “that I only said I didn’t understand Lord Dymchurch in that sense.”

“Are you a fool, girl!” screeched the autocrat, violently.  “I never thought you so, and if he had said anything that was meant for an offer of marriage, you would have understood it quickly enough.  Either you’re telling me the truth, or you’re lying.  Either he proposed to you, or he didn’t.”

May caught the look of Constance turned upon her; it suggested amusement, and this touched her feelings far more deeply than the old lady’s strong language.

“I am obliged to remind you, aunt,” she said, her cheek flushing, “that I have no experience of—­of this kind of thing.  If I made a mistake, I think it’s excusable.  I see that Miss Bride thinks it funny, but she has the advantage of me in age, and in—­in several other ways.”

Even whilst speaking, May knew that she committed an imprudence; she remembered all that depended upon Constance’s disposition towards her.  And indeed, she could not have spoken more unwisely.  In the inflamed state of Constance’s pride, a feminine slap such as this sent such a tingling along her nerves that she quivered visibly.  It flashed into her mind that Dyce Lashmar had all but certainly talked of her to May—­with significant look and tone, whatever his words.  How much had he told her?  Lady Ogram’s voice was again heard.

“Well, that’s true.  You’re only a child, and perhaps you said something which sounded as you didn’t mean it.”

Constance was gazing at the speaker.  Her lips moved, as if in a nervously ineffectual effort to say something.

“Miss Bride can go back to her work again,” said Lady Ogram, as if dismissing a servant.

May smiled, openly and disdainfully.  She could not resist the pleasure of showing her superiority.  The smile had not died away, when Constance spoke.

“I will ask your permission to stay for a few minutes longer, Lady Ogram.  As Miss Tomalin has so satisfactorily explained her part in this unfortunate affair, I think I had better use this opportunity for making known to you something which concerns her, and which, I am sure, will interest you very much.  It won’t take me long—­if you feel able to listen.”

“What is it?” asked the autocrat, sharply.

“You are aware that Mr. Lashmar called very early this morning.  He came, as I said, on private business.  He had something of importance to tell me, and he asked my help in a great difficulty.”

“Something about the election?”

“It had nothing whatever to do with that.  I’ll put it in the fewest possible words, not to waste your time and my own.  Mr. Lashmar began by saying that if I didn’t mind, he would be glad to be released from his engagement to me.”