apable of exciting the admiration of well-matured men. For all that,
she did not consider her a dangerous rival, because she knew there was
a cold, calculating vein in Sedgwick which would prevent his indulging
unduly in romantic weaknesses. Self-interest bound him to her and she
tried to overlook his occasional sentimental vagaries. Indeed, the
indifference he now and then displayed strengthened his hold on her.
Then she rose to meet Mrs. Keith, who was coming her way.

"We shall have an opportunity of renewing a pleasant acquaintance," she
said. "You are looking well, and Miss Graham is as fresh and pretty as
when I last saw her."

Mrs. Keith glanced at Millicent. "Yes," she said, "I think so, and she
is really a very nice girl." Then her eyes twinkled with dry
amusement. "I'm not sure that you expected to see me."

It was obvious to Mrs. Chudleigh that she had betrayed her feelings on
her companion's arrival. Nothing seemed to escape Mrs. Keith's
attention.

"I did not," she admitted. "Indeed, I'll confess that I was somewhat
startled when you came in. You see, I imagined that you were still in
Canada."

"I didn't stay very long after you. One or two things turned up that
brought me back."

"But you have no family ties, have you?"

"I have some old friends. Now and then I'm vain enough to believe that
one of them needs me."

As they spoke Mrs. Foster joined them.

"Colonel Challoner is eager to see you, Margaret," she interposed. "He
excused himself for not coming this evening because Greythorpe is
staying with him for a day or two, but he made me promise to bring you
over to-morrow." She turned to Mrs. Chudleigh. "You must join us.
Have you met Greythorpe? He's down here now and then."

It seemed to Mrs. Chudleigh that fortune was favouring her. After a
long parliamentary career during which he had been distinguished by his
sound sense and the moderation of his views, Greythorpe had been
entrusted with an office in connexion with the administration of
Colonial affairs. What was more to the purpose, he seemed to be a
friend of Colonel Challoner's, whose assistance Mrs. Chudleigh thought
she had means of securing in the plan she was working out.

"I should be delighted," she declared. "I don't know Mr. Greythorpe
except by reputation and, as it happened, I hadn't an opportunity of
speaking to Colonel Challoner on the evening when he was here, though I
once met him."

Seeing that Mrs.