'Oh, by doing something that will alienate all our good friends in both parties. It's queer they can't see our only chance to get what we want is by winning over the men.'
There was a low sound of impatience from the person at the writing-table, and a rustle of paper as the plan was thrown down.
'"Winning over the men" has been the woman's way since the Creation. Do you think the result should make us proud of our policy? Yes? Then go and walk in Piccadilly at midnight.'
Lady John and Mrs. Heriot rose as one, while Miss Levering was adding--
'Yes,' interposed Mrs. Heriot, with majesty, 'it is not the first time you've forgotten.'
'What I forgot was the magistrate's ruling. He said no decent woman had any business to be in London's main thoroughfares at night "_unless she has a man with her_." You can hear that in Soho, too. "You're obliged to take up with a chap!" is what the women say.'
In a highly significant silence, Mrs. Heriot withdrew with her niece and Mrs. Freddy to where Hermione sat contentedly between two young men on the window-step. Lady John, naturally somewhat ruffled, but still quite kind, bent over her indiscreet guest to say--
'What an odd mood you are in to-day, my dear. I think Lydia Heriot's right. We oughtn't to do anything, or _say_ anything to encourage this ferment of feminism--and I'll tell you why: it's likely to bring a very terrible thing in its train.'
'Don't say that!' Lady John spoke very gravely.
'You're so conscious it's here, you're afraid to have it mentioned.'
Lady John perceived that Jean had quietly slipped away from the others, and was standing behind her.
If Mrs. Heriot had not been too absorbed in Dick Farnborough and Hermione she would have had a moment's pleasure in her handiwork--that half-shamed scrutiny in Jean Dunbarton's face. But as the young girl studied the quiet figure, looked into the tender eyes that gazed so steadily into some grey country far away, the effect of Mrs. Heriot's revelation was either weakened or transmuted subtly to something stronger than the thing that it replaced.
As the woman sat there leaning her head a little wearily on her hand, there was about the whole _Wesen_ an indefinable nobility that answered questions before they were asked.