sheltered, so
hedged round by convention, that at times it had seemed as though there
was a wall of division between me and every other human creature. It
was so difficult to show oneself in one's _real_ colours, to see and
know other people as they really were. But now!--oh, what a unique and
exhilarating experience it would be to taste at the same time the
romance of youth and the freedom of age, to witness the different sides
of other characters as exhibited in their treatment of aunt and niece.

That one illuminating suggestion of Bridget's has cleared the way. From
the moment of hearing there had been no real hesitation; before night
fell my plans were made, and a telegram to Charmion was speeding on its
way. A new life lay before me--a dual life, teeming with interest and
possibility. On one hand, my fate must be to some extent bound up with
that of Charmion Fane, the most interesting and, in a sense, mysterious
woman I had ever met; on the other, I was plunging into the unknown, and
transforming myself into a new personality, to meet the new
circumstances. I stared at myself in the glass and solemnly shook my
grey head.

"Evelyn, my dear, be prepared! You are going to have an adventurous
time!"

CHAPTER FOUR.

A TALK IN LONDON.

The aunts expressed a mitigated approval of Charmion's proposal. Mrs
Fane came of a good family, and was "very well left". Her married
estate, moreover, gave her the privilege of chaperonage, so that the
dual establishment might be quite a good arrangement, all things
considered, "until--"

"_Until_!" echoed Aunt Eliza eloquently, nodding coyly at me, while I
stared into space with basilisk calm. I object to references to my
problematical marriage--especially by aunts. The great "until" never
arrived for them, yet they feel quite annoyed because twenty-six has
found me still a spinster!

I made my journey to London with a sense of great adventure, Bridget
going with me in the dual role of maid and mentor. She was the only
person who was to accompany me into the new life, and experience had
proved that her sound common sense might be trusted to act as a brake on
the wheels of my own impetuosity. We stayed the morning in town, when I
interviewed a house agent, and set him on the search for suitable flats,
and then we adjourned to the West End to buy a becoming new hat. It
always soothes me to buy hats. In times of doubt and depression it is
an admirable tonic to