remembering how her present
situation was the result of a direct, personal appeal to the Almighty,
which precluded the remotest possibility of her being exposed to risk
of insult or harm. She had little time for thinking on the matter, for
Mrs Hamilton said:

"Mr Ellis has already come. Mr Williams will be here any moment. We'd
better go down."

Mavis followed Mrs Hamilton to the drawing-room, where a man rose at
their entrance, to whom Mavis was introduced as Miss Devereux.

He scarcely glanced at Mavis, gave her the most formal of bows, and, as
the few remarks he made were directed to Mrs Hamilton, the girl had
plenty of time in which to observe him. He was elderly, tall,
distinguished-looking. He had the indefinable air of being, not only a
man of wealth, but a "somebody." She was chiefly attracted by his grey
eyes, which seemed dead and lifeless. The underlids of these were
pencilled with countless small lines, which, with the weary, dull eyes,
seemed quite out of keeping with the otherwise keenly intellectual face.

Mavis secretly resented the man's indifference to her comeliness. A few
minutes later, the servant opened the door to announce Mr Williams,
whereupon a tall, sun-bronzed, smart-looking man sauntered into the
room. Something in his carriage and face suggested soldier to Mavis's
mind. He was by no means handsome, but what might have been a somewhat
plain face was made pleasant-looking by the deep sunburn and the
kindliness of his expression.

Williams shook hands with Mrs Hamilton, nodded to Ellis, and then
turned to Mavis. Directly he saw her, a look of surprise came into his
face; the girl could not help seeing how greatly he was struck by her
appearance. Mrs Hamilton introduced them, when he at once came to her
side.

"Just think of it," he said, "I was in no hurry to get here. If I had
only known!"

"Known what?" asked Mavis.

"That's asking something. In return I'm going to ask you a question."

"Well?"

"What is it like to be so charming?"

The same question asked by another man might have offended her. There
was such a note of sincere, boyish admiration in the man's voice, that
she had said, almost before she was aware of it:

"Rather nice."

He said more in the same strain. Mavis found herself greatly enjoying
the thinly veiled compliments which he paid her. It was the first time
since she had grown up that she had spoken to a smart man, who was
obviously a gentleman. If this wer