them and said:

"Naturally my marriage would make a great difference to Fanny, but I
have never known her to worry about it."

"She is worrying now!" said poor Braybrooke, with earnest conviction.
"But really she--I am sure she wishes to speak to you."

The line showed itself in Miss Van Tuyn's forehead.

"Will you be kind and just go and ask her what she wants? Please
tell her that I am not coming back yet as I am going to call on Lady
Sellingworth when I leave here."

Braybrooke got up, trying to conceal his reluctance to obey. Miss
Cronin, entrenched as it were behind her old school friend, and with
dawnings of the dragon visible beneath her feathered hat, and even,
strangely, mysteriously, underneath her long cloak of musquash, was
endeavouring by signs and wonders to attract her Beryl's attention,
while Mrs. Clem Hodson stood looking imperious, and ready for any action
that would prove her solidarity with her old schoolmate.

"What she wants--and you are going to call on Lady Sellingworth!" said
Braybrooke.

"Yes; and to-night I'm dining out."

"Dining out to-night--just so."

There was no further excuse for delay, and he went towards the two old