“I’m only warning you,” said Lady Coote.

“Where are you hanging out now?” inquired Mr. Thesiger. “Town⁠—or where?”

Considering that he knew the answer to his query perfectly well, he put the question with a praiseworthy amount of ingenuousness.

Lady Coote sighed heavily.

“Sir Oswald has taken the Duke of Alton’s place. Letherbury. You know it, perhaps?”

“Oh, rather. Topping place, isn’t it?”