She made this extravagantly untruthful statement of her feelings without even a blush. Her aunt looked at her with some surprise.

“I am pleased to hear you say so,” she said. “I always imagined, Eileen, that you cared for nothing but this modern pursuit of pleasure.”

“I used to,” said Bundle.

“It is true that you are still very young,” said Lady Caterham thoughtfully. “But with your advantages, and if you were to marry suitably, you might be one of the leading political hostesses of the day.”

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.”