th increased
confidence, and she was conscious that several men turned to look at
her with interest. Then suddenly the bottom fell out of her world.
There, standing in the vestibule, were Miss Wangle, Mrs.
Mosscrop-Smythe, and Mr. Bolton. In a flash she saw it all. They had
come to spy upon her. They would find her out, and the whole
humiliating story would probably have to be told. Thoughts seemed to
spurt through her mind. What was she to do? It was too late to
retreat. Miss Wangle had already fixed her with a stony stare through
her lorgnettes, which she carried only on special occasions.

Patricia was conscious of bowing and smiling sweetly. Some
sub-conscious power seemed to take possession of her. Still wondering
what she should do, she found herself walking head in the air and
perfectly composed, in the direction of the Grill-room. She was
conscious of being followed by Miss Wangle and her party. As Patricia
rounded the glass screen a superintendent came up and enquired if she
had a table. She heard a voice that seemed like and yet unlike her own
answer, "Yes, thank you," and she passed on looking from right to left
as if in search of someone, unconscious of the many glances cast in her
direction.

When about half-way up the long room, just past the bandstand, the
terrible thought came to her of a possible humiliating retreat. What
was she to do? Why was she there? What were her plans? She looked
about her, hoping that she did not appear so frightened as she felt.
She was conscious of the gaze of a man seated at a table a few yards
off. He was fair and in khaki. That was all she knew. Yes, he was
looking at her intently.

"No, that table won't do! It is too near to the band." It was Miss
Wangle's voice behind her. Without a moment's hesitation her
sub-conscious self once more took possession of Patricia, and she
marched straight up to the fair-haired man in khaki and in a voice loud
enough for Miss Wangle and her party to hear cried:

"Hullo! so here you are, I thought I should never find you." Then as
he rose she murmured under her breath, "Please play up to me, I'm in an
awful hole. I'll explain presently."

Without a moment's hesitation the man replied, "You're very late. I
waited for you a long time outside, then I gave you up."

With a look of gratitude and a sigh of content, Patricia sank down into
the chair a waiter had placed for her. If there had been no chair, she
woul