banisters for safety.

"So Mr. Henry explained to me; and because he was so very good as to
ask your cousin Clarence down, we have made a bargain between each
other. I am to look after you, if you don't mind, and see that you get
through all right."

"In a general way," confessed Gertie Higham, "I can look after myself,
but just now it's likely I may be glad of a wrinkle or two." The other
nodded.

"I have some on my forehead to spare, thanks to Lady Douglass. This is
your room"--throwing open a door--"and mine is here, next door. Come
along in, and let us have a talk."

Miss Loriner had a good deal to say, mainly in describing her present
happiness. Clarence was a dear; Clarence was a clever dear, Clarence
had brought a joy into her life that had previously been absent.
Hitherto Miss Loriner, living in houses as a companion to some testy
and difficult woman, found herself only annoyed by the attentions of
men of the Jim Langham type; it was new and enchanting to be approached
courteously. Gertie, when the other stopped to regain breath, managed
to ask how Henry Douglass filled his time, and was surprised, and
partially hurt, to discover that he still went up to Old Quebec Street
on five days of the week.

"He might have called at the shop," she argued.

Miss Loriner, for the defence, commended him for his industry. Henry
would, later, have to face the alternative of either giving up his
office in London, or relinquishing duties in the country, but at
present he was engaged in a double task; and if Gertie appreciated how
difficult it proved to deal with Lady Douglass, she would not utter a
word of blame in regard to Henry. One of Lady Douglass's inconvenient
tricks was to shift responsibility. As a case in point, take the
entertainment to which they were going that evening. Lady Douglass,
having promised to organize it, had done not a single thing in the way
of--

"Is the place on fire?" asked Gertie, startled.

"That's the first warning for dinner. You have twenty minutes to
dress. Be sure to let me know if there is anything you want."

Gertie left, to return immediately with a concerned expression and the
announcement that her portmanteau had been robbed of every blessed
thing it contained. Miss Loriner accompanied her to make
investigations, and, switching on the electric light, pointed out that
the maid had unpacked the bag--the articles were on the dressing-table,
and hanging up in the wa