was ended, Sara and the two ladies withdrew to the
drawing-room, where they discussed with the utmost vehemence Orange's
illegal marriage and Reckage's broken engagement.

The sum and substance of their investigations were as follows:--

Lady Larch wondered what the world was coming to.

Lady Augusta declared that no woman yet ever fathomed the heart of man.

Lady Sara maintained that it was a very good thing for both young men to
have had such reverses before they finally settled down.

At this Lady Augusta forgot to sigh, and Lady Larch lost control of her
smile.

"How," exclaimed Augusta, "can they forget so soon? Can any settling
down be in contemplation? Are no deep, sacred feelings left?"

Emmeline Larch, who was a widow, said she would never be hard on any one
who tried to recover, for the sake of others, from a shattering
bereavement.

"Dear Lady Larch!" exclaimed Sara.

The three women formed a picturesque group round the fireplace as the
men entered. But the card-tables were already placed, and Sara lost no
time in arranging a quartette for whist. Penborough had to leave for the
_Times_ office. Pole-Knox had to hurry back to Fulham. The young lady,
who was known to detest all games, was thus able to choose Robert for
her partner in a short conversation.

"Forgive me," said she, "but--have you anything to tell me about Mrs.
Parflete?"

"Yes; she is now with Pensee."

"May I call upon her? May I know her? Would she see me?"

"With pleasure, I am sure."

"And you?" she asked.

"I don't see her," he said quietly; "I don't hear from her. I don't
write to her. And--I don't talk about her. But I should like you to know
her. She needs true friends--who understand."

"Have you been to Prince d'Alchingen's, or has he approached you in any
way?"

"I am to dine with him to-morrow."

"Has he said anything to you about the Marquis of Castrillon?"

"Not a word," replied Robert, in surprise: "why should he?"

"I believe there is mischief in the air. Be careful, won't you? Reckage
is watching us. I think he would like some music. He is so _triste_ this
evening."

She moved away, and played delightfully on the guitar until the guests
rose to leave. Then she found an opportunity to tell Lord Reckage not to
come back again. She was tired, she said, and her papa would think it
too odd.

"Then to-morrow morning," said he.

She named an hour.

CHAPTER XX

Robert, on leaving the house, drove