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“Allowed,” Lady D said graciously

“And then she recalled the advice given to her by her one to her reward, pecked to death by pigeons—”

“This can’t be real!”

“Of course it can’t It’s a novel But I swear to you, it’s right here on page 193”

“Let me see that!”

Hyacinth’s eyes widened Lady Danbury frequently accused Hyacinth of embellishment, but this was the first tiot up and showed the book to the countess, pointing to the paragraph in question

“Well, I’ll be,” Lady Danbury said “The poor lady did get done in by pigeons” She shook her head “It’s not how I’d like to go”

“You probably don’t need to worry on that score,” Hyacinth said, resu her seat

Lady D reached for her cane, then scohen she realized it was gone “Continue,” she barked

“Right,” Hyacinth said to herself, looking back down at the book “Let eons” She looked up, spluttering “I’”

“Just read!”

Hyacinth cleared her throat several ti for such a conversation, but perhaps her mother had anticipated her early deain, “but how on earth could so like that?”

“As you said,” Lady D said dryly, “it’s a novel”

Hyacinth took a breath and read on: “Her mother had clutched her hand, and with sad, lonely eyes had said, ‘Dearest, dearest Priscilla There is nothing in this world more precious than love’”

Hyacinth stole a peek at Lady Danbury, who she fully expected to be snorting with disgust But to her great surprise, the countess was rapt, hanging on her every word