"
"Barrington has been very successful at the Bar, and they say that he
is certain of a judgeship before long. His wife has backed him up
well, they have entertained lavishly, and today I should think that
she is one of the most popular hostesses in London. In her earlier
days, I used to hear that she was one of the very fast hunting
set--that was the time when you knew her. I can assure you that if
ever that was true, she is a completely altered woman today. She is
patroness of half a dozen great charitable schemes, she writes very
clever articles in the Reviews on the Betterment of the Poor Question,
and royalty itself visits at her house."
"I see," Wingrave said drily. "I was not aware of these changes."
"If ever," Mr. Rocke continued, "people were inclined to look a little
askance at her, that has all gone by. Today she is one of the last
women in the world of whom people would be likely to believe ill."
Wingrave nodded slowly.
"I am very much obliged to you," he said, "for this information. You
seem to have come here today, Mr. Rocke, with good intentions towards
me. Let me ask you to put yourself in my place. I am barely forty
years old, and I am rich. I want to make the most of my life--under
the somewhat peculiar circumstances. How and where should you live?"
"It depends a little upon your tastes, of course," Rocke answered.
"You are a sportsman, are you not?"
"I am fond of sport," Wingrave answered.
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