in that, for the ladies were in the habit of exchanging
half-yearly visits, and Mrs. Wilcox was about due.

She stood a little bit in awe of a woman who took up all sorts of
dreadful subjects as easily as you take up an acquaintance, and had such
works as "The Principles of Psychology" lying about as the light
literature of her drawing-room table. But Miss Batchelor was much more
nervous than her visitor, therefore Mrs. Wilcox had the advantage at
once.

She knew perfectly well what she was going to do. She was not going to
make a fuss; that would do more harm than good. She had simply to mention
the facts in a casual way, without mentioning Sir Peter. As for the
separation, that was not to be taken seriously for a moment.

She began carelessly. "I heard from Molly this morning."

"Indeed? Good news, I hope?"

"Very good news. Except that she's disappointed me. She's not coming to
Thorneytoft after all."

"I didn't know she was expected."

"Well, I wanted her to run down and entertain me a little, now that she
can get away."

"It would be rather a sacrifice for her to leave town just at the
beginning of the season."

"That's it. She has such hosts of engagements--always going out
somewhere. She tells me she thinks nothing of five theatres in one week."

Miss Batchelor raised her eyebrows.

"She must be very much stronger than she was at Thorneytoft."

"She's never been so well in her life. Thorneytoft didn't agree with her
at all. She's been a different woman since they left it." (This to guard
against any suspicion of an attraction in the neighborhood.) "Nevill was
never well there either."

"I never thought it would suit Mr. Tyson."

"No; it wasn't the life for him at all. He's got too much go in him to
settle down anywhere in the country. Look how he's roamed about the
world." (Now was her opportunity.) "You know, Miss Batchelor, there's
a great deal of nonsense talked about this separation."

"There's a great deal of nonsense talked about most things in this
place."

"Well--but really, if you think of it, what is there to talk about? He's
just gone away in a huff, and--and he'll come back in another. You'll
see. He has a very peculiar temper, has Nevill; and Molly's too--too
suscept--too emotional. People can't always hit it off together."

"No--"

"No. And I think it's a very good plan to separate for a time. For a
time, of course. It's her own wish."

(Oh, Mrs. Wilcox! But strict accuracy