'Really, Isabelle!' she retorted. 1 don't know what you mean.' The two ladies, both vigorous despite being over seventy years of age, were taking tea in the splendid drawing-room of Templeton House. It was a hot afternoon in the summer of 1814 and the tall windows were open to let in the cooling breeze. 'How long have we known each other?' demanded Isabelle, fixing her friend with a shrewd eye. 1 don't see what that has to do with anything,' returned Lady Constance evasively. 'Oh, don't you?' snorted Isabelle. She put down her cup with a determined clatter. We have been friends for the best part of fifty years, Constance, and I know instinctively when something is wrong. And something is wrong now. No, don't bother denying it,' she said, with a firm shake of her head. 1 won't be put off. And I won't rest until I know what it is. Although, from the way your eyes keep drifting to the portrait of your nephew, I can guess.
