you are perfectly safe."

Mrs. Bollington-Watts drew a little breath. The remarkable
adaptability of her race came to her rescue; her point of view swung
round.

"Why," she declared, "I have never been so interested in my life. This
is perfectly thrilling. Mr. Maraton, I am having a few friends come in
to-morrow evening. I should dearly love to give them a surprise.
Couldn't you just drop in for an hour? Or, better still, if you could
dine? I have taken Lenchester House for a year. My, it would be good
to see their faces!"

Maraton shook his head.

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Bollington-Watts," he said, "but my visit to
England is one of business only. To be frank with you, I have no social
existence, nor any desire to cultivate one."

"But you know Lady Elisabeth," the little woman protested.

"I have the honour of knowing Lady Elisabeth incidentally," Maraton
replied. "If you will excuse me now--"

Mrs. Bollington-Watts turned aside to talk vigorously to a passer-by.
Lady Elisabeth laid her hand upon his arm.

"Mr. Maraton," she said softly, "do make up your mind. Please come to
Lyndwood."