He did not tell her about the episode
with Colonel Cole, for he thought there was ho use disturbing her.
She, for her part, had other matters to talk about. "By the way,
Allan," she said, "I presume you know that the coaching parade is
to-morrow."
"Yes," said he.
"Mr. Ryder has offered me a seat on his coach," said Lucy.--"I
suppose you are going to be angry with me," she added quickly,
seeing his frown.
"You said you would go?" he asked.
"Yes," said Lucy. "I did not think it would be any harm. It is such
a public matter--"
"A public matter!" exclaimed Montague. "I should think so! To sit up
on top of a coach for the crowds to stare at, and for thirty or
forty newspaper reporters to take snap-shots of! And to have
yourself blazoned as the fascinating young widow from Mississippi
who was one of Stanley Ryder's party, and then to have all Society
looking at the picture and winking and making remarks about it!"
"You take such a cynical view of everything," protested Lucy. "How
can people help it if the crowds will stare, and if the newspapers
will take pictures? Surely one cannot give up the pleasure of going
for a drive--"
"Oh, pshaw, Lucy!" said Montague.
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