Chapter V

“_Chérie_, it is most inconsiderate of you always to go out without telling anyone where you are going. Madame la Comtesse de Froment rang you up on the telephone—doubtless she wished to invite you to her big concert in aid of the French Red Cross—and I could not tell her where you were, nor when you would be in, because I did not know. I agree for once with your father and your grandmother, that it is not _convenable_ for a _jeune fille_ to run about London as you do.”

“You allow yourself more freedom than I as a young man was allowed at your age.”

“It is that young Blackwood who has taught you these Bohemian manners.”

“After all, we never knew his family.”

“As I have always said, you cultivate the wrong people.”

“Yes, if you would try to make yourself a little more amiable to my friends....”

“Your behaviour towards M. Lefèvre was disgraceful. No wonder he did not press his suit more ardently. You are spoiling your life. It will be your own fault if you remain an old maid.”

“Till now one has let you do as you pleased. But it is agreed that in future one will have to be more severe.”