Bundle felt slightly alarmed. For a moment she feared that her aunt might produce a suitable husband straight away.
“But I feel such a fool,” said Bundle. “I mean, I know so little.”
“That can easily be remedied,” said Lady Caterham briskly. “I have any amount of literature I can lend you.”
“Thank you, Aunt Marcia,” said Bundle, and proceeded hastily to her second line of attack.
“I wondered if you knew Mrs. Macatta, Aunt Marcia?”
“Certainly I know her. A most estimable woman with a brilliant brain. I may say that as a general rule I do not hold with women standing for Parliament. They can make their influence felt in a more womanly fashion.”
She paused, doubtless to recall the womanly way in which she had forced a reluctant husband into the political arena and the success which had crowned his efforts.
“But still, times change. And what Mrs. Macatta is doing is truly of the utmost value for all women. One may say, a true womanly work. Evidently, you must meet Mrs. Macatta.”
Bundle gave a rather dismal sigh.
“She’s going to be at a house-party at George Lomax’s next week. He asked Father, who, of course, won’t go, but he never thought of asking me. Thinks I’m too much of an idiot, I suppose.”
It occurred to Lady Caterham that her niece was really wonderfully improved. Had she, perhaps, had an unfortunate love affair?