Besides," she continued, "we must consider Louise.
She is as good as engaged to Lord Dunshunner, and I do not intend that
you shall make a mess of her affairs here as you did in California."
It was the first time he had heard of Lord Dunshunner's proposals; it
was the first allusion she had ever made to Louise and Mainwaring.
Meantime, the autumn leaves had fallen silently over the broad terraces
of Oldenhurst with little changes to the fortunes of the great house
itself. The Christmas house-party included Lady Canterbridge, whose
husband was still detained at Homburg in company with Dunshunner;
and Bradley, whose wife and cousin lingered on the continent. He was
slightly embarrassed when Lady Canterbridge turned to him one afternoon
as they were returning from the lake and congratulated him abruptly upon
Louise's engagement.
"Perhaps you don't care to be congratulated," she said, as he did not
immediately respond, "and you had as little to do with it as with that
other? It is a woman's function."
"What other?" echoed Bradley.
Lady Canterbridge slightly turned her handsome head towards him as she
walked unbendingly at his side. "Tell me how you manage to keep
your absolute simplicity so fresh.
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