But in this, as in almost everything else, the wicked old woman spoke scandal.  Lord Dumbello was still proud of his wife, and as fond of her as a man can be of a woman whose fondness depends upon mere pride.

There had not been much that was dangerous in the conversation between Mr Palliser and Lady Dumbello, but I cannot say the same as to that which was going on at the same moment between Crosbie and Lady Alexandrina.  She, as I have said, walked away in almost open dudgeon when Lady Julia recommenced her attack about poor Lily, nor did she return to the general circle during the evening.  There were two large drawing-rooms at Courcy Castle, joined together by a narrow link of a room, which might have been called a passage, had it not been lighted by two windows coming down to the floor, carpeted as were the drawing-rooms, and warmed with a separate fireplace.  Hither she betook herself, and was soon followed by her married sister Amelia.

“That woman almost drives me mad,” said Alexandrina, as they stood together with their toes upon the fender.

“But, my dear, you of all people should not allow yourself to be driven mad on such a subject.”

“That’s all very well, Amelia.”

“The question is this, my dear,—­what does Mr Crosbie mean to do?”

“How should I know?”

“If you don’t know, it will be safer to suppose that he is going to marry this girl; and in that case—­”

“Well, what in that case?  Are you going to be another Lady Julia?  What do I care about the girl?”

“I don’t suppose you care much about the girl; and if you care as little about Mr Crosbie, there’s an end of it; only in that case, Alexandrina—­”

“Well, what in that case?”

“You know I don’t want to preach to you.  Can’t you tell me at once whether you really like him?  You and I have always been good friends.”  And the married sister put her arm affectionately round the waist of her who wished to be married.

“I like him well enough.”

“And has he made any declaration to you?”

“In a sort of a way he has.  Hark, here he is!” And Crosbie, coming in from the larger room, joined the sisters at the fireplace.

“We were driven away by the clack of Lady Julia’s tongue,” said the elder.

“I never met such a woman,” said Crosbie.

“There cannot well be many like her,” said Alexandrina.  And after that they all stood silent for a minute or two.  Lady Amelia Gazebee was considering whether or no she would do well to go and leave the two together.  If it were intended that Mr Crosbie should marry her sister, it would certainly be well to give him an opportunity of expressing such a wish on his own part.  But if Alexandrina was simply making a fool of herself, then it would be well for her to stay.  “I suppose she would rather I should go,” said the elder sister to herself; and then, obeying the rule which should guide all our actions from one to another, she went back and joined the crowd.