it seemed only too probable that Fanny had been
deceiving her, and, as she really feared for the girl's safety, prudence
bade her be civil with Mrs. Damerel.

'Can't you help me to find out what Fanny has really been doing?'

'I'm afraid it's quite out of my power. She never confided in me, and it
is so long since I have seen anything of her at all.'

'It's best to speak plainly,' said Beatrice, in her business tone.
'Can't you think of any man, in the society you introduced her to, who
may be trying to lead her astray?'

'Really, Miss. French! The society in which I move is not what you seem
to suppose. If your sister is in any danger of _that_ kind, you must
make your inquiries elsewhere--in an inferior rank of life.'

Beatrice no longer contained herself.

'Perhaps I know rather more than you think about your kind of society.
There's not much to choose between the men and the women.'

'Miss. French, I believe you reside in a part of London called
Camberwell. And I believe you are engaged in some kind of millinery
business. This excuses you for ill-manners. All the same, I must beg you
to relieve me of your presence.' She rang the bell. 'Good evening.'

'I dare say we shall see each other again,' replied Beatrice, with an
insulting laugh. 'I heard some one say to-day that it might be as well
to find out _who you really are_. And if any harm comes to Fanny, I
shall take a little trouble about that inquiry myself.'

Mrs. Damerel changed colour, but no movement betrayed anxiety. In the
attitude of dignified disdain, she kept her eyes on a point above Miss.
French's head, and stood so until the plebeian adversary had withdrawn.

Then she sat down, and for a few minutes communed with herself. In the
end, instead of going to dinner, she rang her bell again. A servant
appeared.

'Is Mr. Mankelow in the dining-room?'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Ask him to be kind enough to come here for a moment.'

With little delay, Mr. Mankelow answered the summons which called him
from his soup. He wore evening dress; his thin hair was parted down the
middle; his smooth-shaven and rather florid face expressed the annoyance
of a hungry man at so unseasonable an interruption.

'Do forgive me,' began Mrs. Damerel, in a pathetic falsetto. 'I have
been so upset, I felt obliged to seek advice immediately, and no one
seemed so likely to be of help to me as you--a man of the world. Would
you believe that a sister of that silly little Miss. F