An Infamous Army Read Online Free PDF Page B

arm; Georgiana remained beside Judith, watching the shifting crowd for a few moments. She presently said in rather a thoughtful voice: "Do you see that Bab Childe is back?"
    "Yes, I have been speaking to her."
    "I must say, I wish she had stayed away," confided Georgiana. "It is the oddest thing, because, for myself, I don't dislike her, but wherever she is there is always some horrid trouble, or unhappiness. Even Mama, who never silly, is a little afraid she may cast her eyes in March's direction. Of course, we don't breathe a word of such a thing at home, but it's perfectly true."
    "What, that your brother -"
    "Oh no, no, but that Mama fears he might! One can't blame her. There does seem to be something about Bab which drives quite sensible men distracted. Dreadful, isn't it?"
    "I think it is."
    "Yes, so do I," said Georgiana regretfully. "I wish I had it."
    Judith could not help laughing, but she assured her vivacious young friend that she was very well as she was. "All the nicest men pay their court to Georgy," she said. "It is men like the Comte de Lavisse who run after Lady Barbara."
    "Yes," sighed Georgiana, looking pensively in the direction of the Count. "Very true. Of course one would not wish to be admired by such a person."
    This sentiment was echoed by Lady Barbara's brother, much later in the evening. As his carriage conveyed him and his ladies home to the Rue Ducale he said in a peevish tone that he wondered Bab could bear to have that foreign fellow for ever at her elbow.
    She only laughed, but his wife, who had been yawning in her corner of the carriage, said sharply: "If you mean Lavisse, I am sure I don't know why you should. I only wish Bab may not play fast and loose with him. I believe he is extremely rich."
    This argument was one that could not but appeal to the Marquis. He was silent for a few moments, but presently said: "I don't know about that, but I can tell you his reputation doesn't bear looking into."
    "If it comes to that, Bab's own reputation is not above reproach!"
    Another gurgle of laughter came from the opposite corner of the carriage. The Marquis said severely: "It's all very well to laugh. No doubt it amuses you to make your name a byword. For my part, I have had enough of your scandals."
    "Oh, pray spare us a homily!" said his wife, yawning again.
    "Don't be anxious, Vidal! They're laying odds against Lavisse's staying the course for more than a month."
    The carriage passed over an uneven stretch of pave. Unpleasantly jolted, the Marquis said angrily: "Upon my word! Do you like to have your name bandied about? Your affairs made the subject of bets?"
    "I don't care," replied Barbara indifferently. "No, I think I like it."
    "You're shameless! Who told you this?"
    "Harry."
    "I might have known it! Pretty news to recount to his sister!"
    "Oh lord, why shouldn't he?" said Lady Vidal. "You'll be a bigger fool than I take you for, Bab, if you let Lavisse slip through your fingers."
    "I don't let them slip," retorted Barbara. "I drop them. I daresay I shall drop him too."
    "Be careful he doesn't drop you!" said her ladyship. The carriage had drawn up before one of the large houses in the Rue Ducale, facing the Park. As the footman opened the door, Barbara murmured: "Oh no, do you think he will? That would be interesting."
    Her sister-in-law forbore to answer this, but, alighting from the carriage, passed into the house. Barbara followed her, but paused only to say goodnight before picking up her candle and going upstairs to her bedroom.
    She had not, however, seen the last of Lady Vidal, who came tapping on her door half an hour later, and entered with the air of one who proposed to remain some while. Barbara was seated before the mirror, her flaming head rising out of the foam of sea-green gauze which constituted her dressing-gown. "Oh, what the deuce, Gussie?" she said.
    "Send your girl away: I want to talk to you," commanded Augusta, settling herself in the most comfortable chair in the