e of work he had ever done. He had been educated for
diplomacy, and learnt eight languages, some of which he spoke fluently,
and in all of which he could look with expression.

The room was no mere exhibition of bric-a-brac, but was a cosy, shadowy,
miscellaneous place, not without an ecclesiastical touch here and there.
One felt every subject could be gone into there, from stockbroking to
love, and that everything could be done there, whether it was praying,
eating, singing, or flirting--everything except perhaps painting.

When the servant announced Mrs. Wyburn and Miss de Freyne one might have
fancied Harry looked slightly disappointed, but he greeted the pretty
creatures with suitable effusion and high spirits.

They both sat down rather carefully in the corner seats by the fire.

"Romer can't come, he's dining with his mother," announced Valentia. "He
ought to, you know, now and then."

"I don't like her," said Daphne, "she abuses every one."

"I know she does, but she's really not so bad, dear, all the same; there
are many worse. She's rather spiteful, but warmhearted--awfully kind if
you break your leg," said Valentia.

"But you don't break your leg," said Harry.

"Oh, sometimes you do. At any rate you might. Don't encourage Daphne to
argue, Harry. Who did you say you'd ask instead if we couldn't get
Romer?"

"Rathbone's just written to accept in his place," said Harry, taking out
a letter. "But--don't you think we could persuade Romer if we tried
hard? However, you know best."

He took out a list. "Hereford Vaughan, Van Buren, Rathbone and
me--that's four; you two, Lady Walmer, and Miss Luscombe, the actress. I
think that'll do."

"Lady Walmer?" repeated Valentia. "Why?"

"And a real actress!" murmured Daphne.

"Not a real actress. She's walked on at all the principal theatres in
London, and somebody's always going to take a theatre for her, but
there's no danger. I told Van Buren that on the stage they think she's
in society, and in society they believe she's on the stage. And he
thinks it's real cute, and an extraordinary English type."

"How are you getting on with him?"

"Beautifully,--if he weren't so beastly intelligent and inquisitive. He
always wants to know all the news and all the latest gossip. What do you
think he asked me last night? Why Big Ben was called Big Ben! How on
earth should I know!"

"Big who?"

"Not big anybody;--the place, the thing;--the clock. He said no doubt I