is leaving to-morrow."

The young man sighed.

"He is just one of those thoughtful chaps with plenty of gas, that
Elisabeth likes to talk to," he complained. "Never mind, it's got to be
put up with, I suppose."

"I am sending you in with Lily," Lady Grenside continued. "She'll keep
you amused. Only I felt that I must explain."

"I can't think what the fellow's doing here, anyhow," Carton remarked
discontentedly. "A few generations ago we should have hung him."

"Hush!" Lady Grenside whispered. "Don't let Elisabeth hear you talk
like that. Here she comes. I wonder--"

Lady Grenside stopped short. She was looking steadily at her daughter
and her expression of doubt had a genuine impulse behind it. Carton was
not so reticent.

"By Jove, she does look stunning!" he murmured.

Elisabeth, who seldom wore colours, was dressed in blue, with a necklace
of turquoises. On the threshold she paused to make some laughing
rejoinder to a man who was holding open the door for her. Her eyes were
brilliant, her face was full of animation. Lady Grenside's face
darkened as the unseen man came into sight. It was Maraton.

"Never saw Elisabeth look so ripping," Carton repeated. "Just my luck,