Міжнародний епізод

           Westgate,nolessnaturally,didnotlikeastubborndebater.“Hallo!”saidLordLambeth;“whataretheyuptonow?”Andhecameawayfromthewindow,wherehehadbeenstandingwithBessieAlden.“Iquiteagreewithaveryclevercountrywomanofmine,”Mrs.Westgatecontinuedwithcharmingardor,thoughwithimperfectrelevancy.Shesmiledatthetwogentlemenforamomentwithterriblebrightness,asiftotossattheirfeet—upontheirnativeheath—thegauntletofdefiance.“Forme,thereareonlytwosocialpositionsworthspeakingof—thatofanAmericanladyandthatoftheEmperorofRussia.”“AndwhatdoyoudowiththeAmericangentlemen?”askedLordLambeth.“SheleavestheminAmerica!”saidPercyBeaumont.Onthedepartureoftheirvisitors,BessieAldentoldhersisterthatLordLambethwouldcomethenextday,togowiththemtotheTower,andthathehadkindlyofferedtobringhis“trap”anddrivethemthither.Mrs.Westgatelistenedinsilencetothiscommunication,andforsometimeafterwardshesaidnothing.Butatlast,“Ifyouhadnotrequestedmetheotherdaynottomentionit,”shebegan,“thereissomethingIshouldventuretoaskyou.”Bessiefrownedalittle;herdarkblueeyesweremoredarkthanblue.Buthersisterwenton.“Asitis,Iwilltaketherisk.YouarenotinlovewithLordLambeth:Ibelieveit,perfectly.Verygood.Butisthere,bychance,anydangerofyourbecomingso?It’saverysimplequestion;don’ttakeoffense.Ihaveaparticularreason,”saidMrs.Westgate,“forwantingtoknow.