o betray the slightest astonishment
at what he must have seen as distinctly as Carrissima.

"Miss Faversham," he imperturbably announced, and on the instant Mark's
arms dropped to his side, and Bridget, after a glance which was
overflowing with reproach, turned towards the door.

"Where is Miss Faversham?" she asked in an unusually high voice,
wondering that she could see no sign of a visitor.

Miller, glancing aside at the landing, saw Carrissima on her knees by
the balusters, engaged in picking up the scattered roses. Her back was
towards the room, and she wished that her heart would not beat quite so
tumultuously.

"Oh, do let me help you!" suggested Bridget, going to her side, and
from that instant Carrissima seemed to have only one object in life.
Above all things she wished to lead both Bridget and Mark to believe
that she had seen nothing out of the common! Unable at present to
grasp the complete significance of the revelation which fortunately had
been vouchsafed to her, she perceived, at least, that it implied the
utter destruction of her own recent hopes. Nothing could be worse than
the betrayal of her disillusionment: because obviously she had been the
victim of a rather cruel illusion especially since yesterday. Now her
_savoir faire_ became her most valuable asset.

"I think I have picked them all up," she said, rising hastily to her
feet, with the roses loose in her hands.

"How sweet of you to come!" answered Bridget. "Mark is here, too!
What lovely roses," she continued, leading the way into the
sitting-room, as Miller stood on the landing.

"I am sorry they are so untidy," said Carrissima, with every appearance
of cheerfulness.

"Are they really for me!" cried Bridget, taking the flowers and placing
them on the table.

"What a lovely day," said Carrissima, although it was the worst she had
ever known. "Have they sent home the carpet, yet?" she added, as Mark
offered his hand with some embarrassment. He was certainly the most
awkward of the three; the women far surpassing him in _finesse_.

"Have you been buying a carpet?" asked Bridget, as she laid the flowers
on the table. "How interesting! Do, please, tell me all about it?"

"For one of my rooms in Weymouth Street," answered Mark.

"Have you actually taken rooms?" said Bridget. "Too bad not to tell
me!"

Carrissima, now prepared to recognize deception everywhere, found it
difficult to look cheerful. She had no doubt that Bri