’It may be so termed.  I have no personal interest in it.  I come to lay certain facts before you which I think you should know.  We think it better that an acquaintance, and one of your sex, should state the case to you, instead of having recourse to formal intermediaries, lawyers—­’

‘Lawyers?’

’Well, my husband is a lawyer, it is true.  In the course of his professional vocations he became acquainted with Mr. Warwick.  We have latterly seen a good deal of him.  He is, I regret to say, seriously unwell.’

‘I have heard of it.’

’He has no female relations, it appears.  He needs more care than he can receive from hirelings.’

‘Are you empowered by him, Lady Wathin?’

’I am, Mrs. Warwick.  We will not waste time in apologies.  He is most anxious for a reconciliation.  It seems to Sir Cramborne and to me the most desireable thing for all parties concerned, if you can be induced to regard it in that light.  Mr. Warwick may or may not live; but the estrangement is quite undoubtedly the cause of his illness.  I touch on nothing connected with it.  I simply wish that you should not be in ignorance of his proposal and his condition.’

Diana bowed calmly.  ’I grieve at his condition.  His proposal has already been made and replied to.’

’Oh, but, Mrs. Warwick, an immediate and decisive refusal of a proposal so fraught with consequences . . . !’

’Ah, but, Lady Wathin, you are now outstepping the limits prescribed by the office you have undertaken.’

‘You will not lend ear to an intercession?’

‘I will not.’

’Of course, Mrs. Warwick, it is not for me to hint at things that lawyers could say on the subject.’

‘Your forbearance is creditable, Lady Wathin.’

’Believe me, Mrs. Warwick, the step is—­I speak in my husband’s name as well as my own—­strongly to be advised.’

‘If I hear one word more of it, I leave the country.’

’I should be sorry indeed at any piece of rashness depriving your numerous friends of your society.  We have recently become acquainted with Mr. Redworth, and I know the loss you would be to them.  I have not attempted an appeal to your feelings, Mrs. Warwick.’

‘I thank you warmly, Lady Wathin, for what you have not done.’

The aristocratic airs of Mrs. Warwick were annoying to Lady Wathin when she considered that they were borrowed, and that a pattern morality could regard the woman as ostracized:  nor was it agreeable to be looked at through eyelashes under partially lifted brows.  She had come to appeal to the feelings of the wife; at any rate, to discover if she had some and was better than a wild adventuress.

‘Our life below is short!’ she said.  To which Diana tacitly assented.

‘We have our little term, Mrs. Warwick.  It is soon over.’

‘On the other hand, the platitudes concerning it are eternal.’