think beauty is a very mixed blessing, especially in the young. It can lead to so many unfortunate associations. Too much praise, too much admiration, and I have seen even some of the nicest people led astray, because they were innocent, sheltered by a decent family, so did not realize the shallowness or the vice that can exist behind the mask of flattery.'
A shadow passed across Callantha's face. Charlotte felt guilty for bringing up the subject so blatantly, but there was no time to waste in being subtle.
'Indeed,' she continued, 'I have even seen instances in my 187
acquaintance where unusual beauty has led a young person to acquire power over others, and then quite abuse it, to their own undoing in the end-and most unfortunately, to the misfortune of those involved with them as well.' She took a deep breath. 'Whereas true charm of personality can do nothing but good. I think you are most fortunate.' She remembered that Jerome had tutored Fanny in Latin. 'And of course intelligence is one of the greatest of gifts. Foolishness can sometimes be overcome if one is safeguarded from its effects by a loving and patient family. But how much more of the world's joys are open to you if you have sensibility of your own, and how many pitfalls avoided.' Did she sound as priggish as she felt? But it was difficult to approach the subject, retain a modicum of good manners, and not sound hopelessly pompous at the same time.
'Oh, Fanny has plenty of intelligence,' Callantha said with a smile. 'In fact, she is a better student than her brother, or either of-' She stopped.
'Yes?' Charlotte and Emily said, leaning forward in hope-fill inquiry.
Callantha's face paled. 'I was going to say 'either of her cousins,' but her elder cousin died some weeks ago.'
'I'm so sorry.' Again Emily and Charlotte spoke together, affecting total surprise. 'How very hard to bear,' Emily went on. 'It was a sudden illness?'
Callantha hesitated, perhaps weighing the chances of getting away with a lie. In the end she decided on the truth. After all, the case had been written up in the newspapers, and although ladies of excellent upbringing would not read such things, it was impossible to avoid hearing gossip-supposing anyone were even to try!
'No-no, he was killed.' She still avoided the word 'murder.' 'I'm afraid it was all very dreadful.'
'Oh, dear!' Emily was a better actress than Charlotte; she always had been. And she had not lived with the story from the beginning; she could affect ignorance. 'How terribly distressing for you! I do hope we have not called at an inappropriate time?' It was really an unnecessary question. One could not cease all social life every time a relative died, unless it were in the immediate family, or else the number of one's relatives and
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the frequency of death would cause one to be forever in mourning.
'No, no.' Callantha shook her head. 'It is most pleasant to see you.'
'Perhaps,' Aunt Vespasia said, 'it would be possible for you to come to a small soiree at my house in Gadstone Park, if you are accepting invitations. I should be delighted to see you, and your husband also, if he wishes and is free of business functions? I have not met him, but I'm sure he is charming. I will send the footman with an invitation.'
Charlotte's heart sank. It was Titus and Fanny she wanted to talk to, not Mortimer Swynford!
'I am sure he would enjoy that as much as I,' Callantha said. 'I had intended to invite Angelica to an afternoon entertainment, a new pianist who has been much praised. I have planned it for Saturday. I hope she will have recovered by then. But in any case, I should be delighted if you would all come. We shall be ladies, in the main, but if Lord Ashworth or your husband would care to come?' She turned from one to the other of them.
'Of course!' Emily glowed with anticipation. The object was achieved. The men would not come; that was understood. She darted a look across at Charlotte. 'Perhaps we shall meet Fanny? I admit I am quite intrigued-I shall look forward to it.'
'And I also,' Charlotte agreed. 'Very much.'
Aunt Vespasia rose. They had been long enough for the strict duty call'they professed it to be, and certainly long enough
