r off her feet. "I think you would
find an excuse for anyone, no matter how wicked. When I get very, very
bad I shall come and ask you to explain me to myself. I think if you
had your way you would prove every wolf a sheep underneath. Come into
my room and have a pow-wow."

Inside her room Patricia lifted Mrs. Hamilton bodily on to the bed.
"Now lie there, you dear little thing, and have a rest. Dad used to
say that every woman ought to lie on her back for two hours each day.
I don't know why. I suppose it was to keep her quiet and get her out
of the way. In any case you have got to lie down there."

"But your bed, my dear," protested Mrs. Hamilton.

"Never mind my bed, you just do as you're told. Now what are the old
cats--I beg your pardon, what have the--lambs been saying?"

Mrs. Hamilton smiled in spite of herself. "Well, of course, dear,
we're all very interested to hear that you are engaged to--Lord Peter
Bowen."

"How did they find out?" interrupted Patricia.

"Well, it appears that Miss Wangle has a friend who has a cousin in the
War Office."

"Oh, dear!" groaned Patricia. "I believe Miss Wangle has a friend who
has a cousin in every known place in the world, and a good many unknown
places," she added. "She has got a bishop in heaven, innumerable
connections in Mayfair, acquaintances at Court, cousins of friends at
the War Office; the only place where she seems to have nobody who has
anybody else is hell."

"My dear!" said Mrs. Hamilton in horror, "you mustn't talk like that."

"But isn't it true?" persisted Patricia. "Well, I'm sorry if I've
shocked you. Tell me all about it."

"Well," began Mrs. Hamilton, "soon after you had gone out Miss Wangle's
friend telephoned in reply to her letter of enquiry. She told her all
about Lord Peter Bowen, how he had distinguished himself in France, won
the Military Cross, the D.S.O., how he had been promoted to the rank of
lieutenant-colonel, and brought back to the War Office and given a
position on the General Staff. He's a very clever young man, my dear."

Patricia laughed outright at Mrs. Hamilton's earnestness. "Why of
course he's clever, otherwise he wouldn't have taken up with such a
clever young woman."

"Well, my dear, I hope you'll be happy," said Mrs. Hamilton earnestly.

"I doubt it," said Patricia.

"Doubt it!" There was horror in Mrs. Hamilton's voice. She half
raised herself on the bed. Patricia pushed her back again.

"Nev