ldn't be--be HERE if--" We stared at each other
blankly. "Here?" she echoed, glancing at the scattered little groups of
people on the lawn. I glanced too. I was much embarrassed. I explained
that I had seen Braxton "standing just over there" when I arrived, and
had supposed he was one of the people who came by the earlier train.
"Well," she said with a slightly irritated laugh, "you must have
mistaken some one else for him." She dropped the subject, talked to
other people, and presently moved away.

'Surely, thought I, she didn't suspect me of trying to make fun of her?
On the other hand, surely she hadn't conspired with Braxton to make a
fool of ME? And yet, how could Braxton be here without an invitation,
and without her knowledge? My brain whirled. One thing only was clear.
I could NOT have mistaken anybody for Braxton. There Braxton had
stood--Stephen Braxton, in that old pepper-and-salt suit of his, with
his red tie all askew, and without a hat--his hair hanging over his
forehead. All this I had seen sharp and clean-cut. There he had stood,
just beside one of the women who travelled down in the same compartment
as I; a very pretty woman in a pale blue dress; a tall woman--but I had
noticed how small she looked beside Braxton. This woman was now walking
to and fro, yonder, with M. de Soveral. I had seen Braxton beside her as
clearly as I now saw M. de Soveral.

'Lady Rodfitten was talking about India to a recent Viceroy. She seemed
to have as firm a grip of India as of "Ariel." I sat forgotten. I wanted
to arise and wander off--in a vague search for Braxton. But I feared
this might look as if I were angry at being ignored. Presently Lady
Rodfitten herself arose, to have what she called her "annual look
round." She bade me come too, and strode off between me and the
recent Viceroy, noting improvements that had been made in the grounds,
suggesting improvements that might be made, indicating improvements that
MUST be made. She was great on landscape-gardening. The recent Viceroy
was less great on it, but great enough. I don't say I walked forgotten:
the eminent woman constantly asked my opinion; but my opinion, though of
course it always coincided with hers, sounded quite worthless, somehow.
I longed to shine. I could only bother about Braxton.

'Lady Rodfitten's voice sounded over-strong for the stillness of
evening. The shadows lengthened. My spirits sank lower and lower, with
the sun. I was a naturally cheerful pe