In the grate, the fire that had been lighted just before they had come upstairs was crackling sharply. Laura drew up an armchair and sat down in front of it, her chin in her hand. Mrs. Cressler stretched herself upon the bed, an arm behind her head.

“Well, Laura,” she began at length, “I have some real news for you. My dear, I believe you’ve made a conquest.”

“I!” murmured Laura, looking around. She feigned a surprise, though she guessed at once that Mrs. Cressler had Corthell in mind.

“That Mr. Jadwin⁠—the one you met at the opera.”

Genuinely taken aback, Laura sat upright and stared wide-eyed.