Noel and Judy believe he's really interested in Helen Dane. Do you think he is?"
"He's there a great deal," answered Eric, "but then that may mean nothing. Ottway, her father, is a good sort, but pompous."
"Lord Ottway has dignity, if that's what you mean," said Louise. "I hope Gordon does marry Helen. It would be very suitable."
"As for suitable—I don't know," said Madame Claire, musingly. "The girl seems a little hard—self-sufficient. Still, I don't dislike her."
"I only wish Judy would do as well," Louise went on. "She's almost certain to throw herself away on some nobody."
"If he were a nice nobody I shouldn't mind," said Madame Claire.
When Louise got up to go, Madame Claire followed her into the bedroom where her fur coat was. She longed to say something to her. She felt that the words existed that might soften that bitter mood, but she could not find the right ones. She was sick at heart with anxiety. She knew that Eric's patience was at breaking point, and that he found his wife's sarcasm hard to bear. Louise had only lately resorted to sarcasm—that passing bell of love—and yet, underneath it all, Madame Claire felt that she loved him, and
