er Bowen, and you've made me ridiculous," then
conscious of the absurdity of her words, Patricia laughed; but there
was no mirth in her laughter.

"Made you ridiculous," said Bowen, concern in his voice. "But how?"

"Oh, I am not referring to your boy-messengers and telegrams, florists'
shops, confectioners' stocks," said Patricia, "but all the tabbies in
Galvin House set themselves to work to find out who you were
and--and--look what an absurd figure I cut! Then of course Aunt
Adelaide must butt in."

"Aunt Adelaide!" repeated Bowen, knitting his brows. "Tabbies at
Galvin House!"

"If you repeat my words like that I shall scream," said Patricia. "I
wish you would try and be intelligent. Miss Wangle told Aunt Adelaide
that I'm engaged to Lord Peter Bowen. Aunt Adelaide then asked me
about my engagement, and I had to make up some sort of story about
Colonel Bowen. She then enquired if it were true that I was engaged to
Lord Peter Bowen. Of course I said 'No,' and that is where we are at
present, and you've got to help me out. You got me into the mess."

"Might I enquire who Aunt Adelaide is, please, Patricia?"

Bowen's humility made him very difficult to talk to.

"Aunt Adelaide is my sole surviving relative, vide her own statement,"
said Patricia. "If I had my way she would be neither surviving nor a
relative; but as it happens she is both, and to-morrow afternoon at
half-past five she is coming to Galvin House to receive a full
explanation of my conduct."

Bowen compressed his lips and wrinkled his forehead; but there was
laughter in his eyes.

"It's difficult, isn't it, Patricia?" he said.

"It's absurd, and please don't call me Patricia."

"But we're engaged and----"

"We're nothing of the sort," she said.

"But we are," protested Bowen. "I can----"

"Never mind what you can do," she retorted. "What am I to tell Aunt
Adelaide at half-past five to-morrow evening?"

"Why not tell her the truth?" said Bowen.

"Isn't that just like a man?" Patricia addressed the query to a deer
that was eyeing the car curiously from some fifty yards distance.
"Tell the truth," she repeated scornfully. "But how much will that
help us?"

"Well! let's tell a lie," protested Bowen, smiling.

And then Patricia did a weak and foolish thing, she laughed, and Bowen
laughed. Finally they sat and looked at each other helplessly.

"However you got those," she nodded at the ribbons on his breast, "I
don't know