"Suppose she had been a Liberal," said Marion, slyly.
Atherstone shrugged his shoulders--too honest to reply.
He ruminated over his pipe. Presently his eyes flashed.
"I hear Coryston's very servants--his man and wife--were evicted from their cottage for political reasons."
"Yes, by that Radical miller who lives at Martover," said Marion.
"The wife told me," said Marion, calmly, rolling up her socks.
"I say, I must look into that," said Atherstone, with discomposure. "It doesn't do to have such stories going round--on our side. I wonder why Coryston chose them."
"I should think--because he hates that kind of thing on both sides." The slightest twinge of red might have been noticed on Miss Atherstone's cheek as she spoke. But her father did not notice it. He lifted his head to listen.
"You look tired," said Marion to her guest. The first bout of conversation was over, and Dr. Atherstone had gone back to his letters.
Enid Glenwilliam took off her hat, accepted the cushion which her hostess was pressing upon her, and lay at ease in her cane chair.
"You wouldn't wonder, if you could reckon up my week!" she said, laughing. "Let's see--four dinners, three balls, two operas,--a week-end at Windsor, two bazars, three meetings, two concerts, and tea-parties galore! What do you expect but a rag!"
"Oh yes, I like it. At least, if people don't ask me to things I'm insulted, and when they do--"
"It's you finished the sentence!--not I! And I've scarcely seen father this week except at breakfast. _That's_ bored me horribly."
"Inquisitor!--I have been amusing myself."
Marion turned her large fresh-colored face and small gray eyes upon her companion.
"And others! You don't imagine I confine myself to him?"
"That we get on? I am sure she has never imagined that Mr. Arthur could so demean himself."
"Oh yes, I mean her to," said Miss Glenwilliam, quietly. She reached out a long hand toward Marion's cat and stroked it. Then she turned her large eyes of pale hazel set under beautiful dark brows to her companion. "You see--Lady Coryston has not only snubbed me--she has insulted father."
"At Chatton House the other day. She refused to go down to dinner with him. She positively did. The table had to be rearranged, and little Lady Chatton nearly had hysterics."