would be now twenty-eight, an age that might well
apply to Mr Williams. Associated with these thoughts was an uneasy
feeling, which had been once or twice in her mind, that the two men at
table were far too distinguished-looking to bear such commonplace names
as Ellis and Williams. The others rallied her on her depression.
Striving to believe that she must be mistaken in her suspicions, she
made an effort to end the perplexities that were beginning to confront
her.

"Are you at Aldershot for long?" asked Mavis of Mr Williams.

"I scarcely know: one never does know these things."

"Do you come up often?"

"I shall now."

"To see your people?"

"They live in the west of England."

"Wiltshire?"

"How did you know?"

"I didn't; I guessed."

"Wherever they are, I don't see so much of them as I should."

"How considerate of you!"

"Isn't it? But they're a bit too formidable even for one of my sober
tastes."

"I see. They're interesting and clever."

"If Low Church and frumpy clothes are cleverness, they're geniuses," he
remarked.

"Of course, you prefer High Church and low bodices," retorted Mavis.

Soon after, Mrs Hamilton and Mavis left the men and went upstairs to
the drawing-room. The girl was uneasy in her mind as to how Mrs
Hamilton would take the fact of her having considerably eclipsed her
employer at table; now that they were alone together, she feared some
token of Mrs Hamilton's displeasure.

To her surprise and delight, this person said:

"You're an absolute treasure."

"You think so?"

"I don't think; I know. But then, I never make a mistake."

"I'm glad you're pleased."

"I'm not pleased; delighted is more the word. You're worth your weight
in gold."

"I wish I were."

"But you will be, if you follow my advice. At first, I thought you a
bit of a mug. I don't mind telling you, now I see how smart you are."

Mavis looked puzzled; the extravagant eulogy of her conduct seemed
scarcely to be justified.

"You can see Williams is head over ears in love with you. So far, he's
been beastly stand-offish to anyone I put him on to," continued Mrs
Hamilton.

"Indeed!" said Mavis coldly. She disliked Mrs Hamilton's coarse manner
of expressing herself.

Mrs Hamilton did not notice the frown on the girl's forehead, but went
on:

"As for that idea of drinking water, it was a stroke of genius."

"What?"

"My heart went out to you when you insisted on having it, although I
pretended t