CHAPTER XXXIV A BLIND ALLEY

“Well, so everything’s over, Shirley. I think I feel rather as though there’d been a shipwreck and you and I were the sole survivors cast up on a desert island.” Simon spoke with a kind of whimsical sadness, as if he were trying to make light of something that was inwardly hurting. A week had elapsed since Kit’s wedding had taken place, and an hour ago Nicolette and Miguel—whose visit had characteristically prolonged itself beyond the projected two days—had left for London. Lady Beth, as had become her habit latter…