such as that he had asked were common
between them. And her answer was of the same nature. "Oh, such an
odious woman!" she said. "Her name is Mrs Marsham; she is my bete
noire." And then they were actually dancing, whirling round the room
together, before a word had been said of that which was Burgo's
settled purpose, and which at some moments was her settled purpose
also.

Burgo waltzed excellently, and in old days, before her marriage, Lady
Glencora had been passionately fond of dancing. She seemed to give
herself up to it now as though the old days had come back to her.
Lady Monk, creeping to the intermediate door between her den and
the dancing-room, looked in on them, and then crept back again. Mrs
Marsham and Mr Bott standing together just inside the other door,
near to the staircase, looked on also--in horror.

"He shouldn't have gone away and left her," said Mr Bott, almost
hoarsely.

"But who could have thought it?" said Mrs Marsham. "I'm sure I
didn't."

"I suppose you'd better tell him?" said Mr Bott.

"But I don't know where to find him," said Mrs Marsham.

"I didn't mean now at once," said Mr Bott;--and then he added, "Do
you think it is as bad as that?"

"I don't know what to think," said Mrs Marsham.

The waltzers went on till they were stopped by want of breath. "I
am so much out of practice," said Lady Glencora; "I didn't think--I
should have been able--to dance at all." Then she put up her face,
and slightly opened her mouth, and stretched her nostrils,--as ladies
do as well as horses when the running has been severe and they want
air.

"You'll take another turn," said he.

"Presently," said she, beginning to have some thought in her mind
as to whether Mrs Marsham was watching her. Then there was a little
pause, after which he spoke in an altered voice.

"Does it put you in mind of old days?" said he.

It was, of course, necessary for him that he should bring her to some
thought of the truth. It was all very sweet, that dancing with her,
as they used to dance, without any question as to the reason why it
was so; that sudden falling into the old habits, as though everything
between this night and the former nights had been a dream; but this
would not further his views. The opportunity had come to him which he
must use, if he intended ever to use such opportunity. There was the
two hundred pounds in his pocket, which he did not intend to give
back. "Does it put you in mind of 'old days?'