Caroline laughed, but she had a certain sympathy for Mr. Stratton. She knew how persistent the matchmaking Mamas could be when there was a matrimonial catch in sight, and how cleverly they could out-jockey and snub out of existence a man who was not eligible from a financial point of view, however charming he might be otherwise.
She was, however, too shaken and alarmed by what had taken place at dinner to be able to concentrate exclusively on Mr. Stratton’s troubles. It had been for her a moment of horror when she heard her name toasted, and she had thought that at any moment her identity was about to be revealed.
When the ladies withdrew to the drawing-room, she sat talking for a little while and then went upstairs to see if the Dowager had need of her. Lady Brecon was already settled f
