apologetically.

"Oh, it's all right!" was the reply as the car jumped forward. "I
shall be deluged with fruit and flowers now from all sorts of people,
because the Bolsovers are sure to spread it round that I'm in extremis.
To-morrow, however, I shall announce that it was a wrong diagnosis."

Lady Tanagra drew the car up to the curb outside Dent's. "I think,"
she said, indicating an old woman selling matches, "we'll give her the
shilling for the taxi, Peter, shall we?"

Peter beckoned the old woman and handed her a shilling with a smile.

"Does it make you feel particularly virtuous to be charitable with
another's money?" he enquired.

Lady Tanagra made a grimace.

Over lunch they talked upon general topics and about common friends.
Lady Tanagra made no reference to the important matter that had caused
her to be summoned to lunch, even at the expense of having measles as
an excuse. That was characteristic of her. She had nothing of a
woman's curiosity, at least she never showed it, particularly with
Peter.

After lunch they went to the lounge for coffee. When they had been
served and both were smoking, Bowen remarked casually, "Got any
engagement for this afternoon, Tan?"

"Tea at the Carlton at half-past four, then I promised to run in to see
the Grahams before dinner. I'm afraid it will mean more flowers and
fruit. Oh!" she replied, "I suppose I must stick to measles. I shall
have to buy some thanks for kind enquiries cards as I go home."

During lunch Bowen had been wondering how he could approach the subject
of Patricia. He could not tell even Tanagra how he had met her--that
was Patricia's secret. If she chose to tell, that was another matter;
but he could not. As a rule he found it easy to talk to Tanagra and
explain things; but this was a little unusual. Lady Tanagra watched
him shrewdly for a minute or two.

"I think I should just say it as it comes, Peter," she remarked in a
casual, matter-of-fact tone.

Bowen started and then laughed.

"What I want is a sponsor for an acquaintanceship between myself and a
girl. I cannot tell you everything, Tan, she may decide to; but of
course you know it's all right."

"Why, of course," broke in Lady Tanagra with an air of conviction which
contained something of a reproach that he should have thought it
necessary to mention such a thing.

"Well, you've got to do a bit of lying, too, I'm afraid."

"Oh! that will be all right. The natural con