Penelope whirled round to find Kitty, immaculate in white from head to foot and looking perfectly cool and composed, standing on the threshold.
"How do you manage it?" she said admiringly. "Even in this sweltering heat, when the rest of us look as though we had run in the wash, you give the impression that you've just stepped out of a refrigerated bandbox."
"Appearances are as deceitful as usual, then," replied Kitty, sinking down into an arm-chair and unfurling a small fan. "I'm simply melted! Am I the first arrival?" she continued. "Where's Nan?"
"She and Peter are decorating the tea-table--smiles and things, you know"--Penelope waved an explanatory hand.
"I think my plan was a good one, don't you? Peter's been an excellent antidote to Maryon Rooke," she observed complacently.
"I'm not so sure," returned Penelope with characteristic caution. "I think a married man--especially such an _un_married married man as Pete--is rather a dangerous antidote."
"Nonsense! They both _know_ he's married! And they've both got normal common-sense."
"But," objected Penelope, suddenly and unexpectedly, "love has nothing whatever to do with common-sense."
"Penelope! What's come to you? We've always regarded you as the severely practical member of the community, and here you are talking rank heresy!"
Penelope laughed a little, and a faint flush stole up into her cheeks.
"I'm not unobservant, remember," she returned, lightly, her eyes avoiding Kitty's. "And my observations have led me to the conclusion that love and common-sense are distinctly antipathic."
"Well, Nan seems quite happy and cheerful again, anyway," retorted Kitty. "And if she'd fallen in love with Peter, knowing that there was a very much alive Mrs. Peter in the background, she would hardly be feeling particularly cheery."
"Oh, I don't think Nan's fallen in love--yet. And as to her present joyful mood, that's easily accounted for by the doubled income Lord St. John is allowing her--I never knew anyone extract quite so much satisfaction as Nan from the actual spending of money. Besides, although she doesn't realise it, Peter has made himself rather indispensable to her."
The other reflected a moment before replying. Finally she said: