because I see Mrs. Streatham's carriage. Too late; she sees
me. May I come up for--for an hour or two, after the first act?"

"Not for an hour, for two," said Jeannie, as Mrs. Streatham waved her
hand to him, but without a smile, for she was busy wondering who Mrs.
Halton was, and whether there was a chance of getting her to dine two or
three times during the next week.

Mrs. Streatham used her friends and acquaintances much as a clematis
uses the wires or trellis put up for it. She strongly and firmly climbed
along them (without ever letting go), to find fresh friends and
acquaintances.

"Who was that charming-looking woman you were talking to, Lord
Lindfield," she said, "with Lady Nottingham? By the way, you lunch with
us on Thursday, do you not?"

"Mrs. Halton," said he.

"Really! That sweetly pretty Miss--Miss Hanbury's aunt? Are she and Lady
Nottingham in the stalls? They might like to come to my box instead. It
is so far more comfortable in a box. Will you ask them? I do know Lady
Nottingham. She dined with us last year--at least, I asked her."

"They have a box of their own," said he.

"Ah, what a pity! Let us go in. I expect a few friends this evening, but
they will find their way. It is such a pity to miss a note of 'Faust.'
Oh, I see, it is 'Lucia.' That is by Gounod too, is it not?"

Three hours later they were all standing in the vestibule waiting for
the arrival of carriages. Mrs. Streatham had been unable to arrange
anything definite with regard to Mrs. Halton lunching with her, but
had just said she would write, and hope to find her disengaged the
week after next, when her carriage was bawled out. Lord Lindfield
shut her firmly into it, with profuse thanks, and returned to the
others. Crowds of people--some of whom, apparently, Mrs. Streatham
did not know by sight--had swarmed into her box during the evening,
and he had spent most of it in Lady Nottingham's without any sense of
deserting his hostess, since it was impossible even to stand in her
box, far less sit down.

Then Lady Nottingham's carriage had come up too, and he put them into
it.

"Till to-morrow, then," said Jeannie. "I am looking forward to it
immensely. You lunch with us first, and then take me to the concert."

The motor bubbled and slid off, and she put down the window.

"It moves," she said laconically.

CHAPTER X.

Lady Nottingham's house at Bray was one of those styleless
nondescript river-side residences whi