ormed me, to protect herself against my chatter.

"You promise to be quiet, but in five minutes' time you begin again!
Now please to remember that to all intents and purposes I am in another
room, and that until I choose to come forth, I am dead to you and
everyone else! Do you understand? These letters positively must get
off to-night!"

"Dear me! I don't want to talk! I shall be thankful to sit by the fire
and enjoy a quiet read," I said loftily, and promptly drew up an old
arm-chair, and buried myself in the book which I had bought to while
away the hours of my journey, and then left unread, because my own
affairs were at the moment so much more absorbing than those of a
fictitious heroine. Now that my mind was more at ease, I found the
story interesting enough, and had read on for about an hour with
undisturbed enjoyment, when suddenly the door was flung open, and a
voice announced:--

"Mr Maplestone!"

I leapt up, putting up a hasty hand to smooth my ruffled hair. That was
the worst of having only one sitting-room! Visitors were hurled in upon
one without a moment's warning. Happy Charmion behind the screen! I
stared across the room and beheld a tall--very tall--thin man, with
short reddish hair and light blue, angry-looking eyes. He was dressed
in riding costume, which, so far as his figure went, became him
exceedingly well. He was probably somewhere about thirty-five, and one
glance at his tightly-set lips and firm square chin was enough to
demonstrate the truth of Mr Edwards' assertion that he was "a gentleman
who likes his own way". He had probably heard by now that for once he
was to be thwarted, and had come to tell me what he thought about it.
At this moment I forgot to be sorry for his disappointment in my
exceeding sympathy for myself! I glanced helplessly at the screen.

"Mrs Fane, I believe."

"I am Miss Wastneys. Mrs Fane is engaged. Perhaps it is something
that I--"

He laid his hat and stick on the table.

"May I have a few minutes' conversation? You will allow me to sit
down?"

"Certainly."

I pushed aside the easy-chair and seated myself on one of the six
"uprights" which were ranged about the room. It felt so much more
business-like and supporting. Mr Maplestone seated himself opposite to
me, and rested his hands on his knees.

"I am told that you have some idea of renting a house called Pastimes,
near here!"

"We have taken Pastimes. Mrs Fane and myself have thi