as to what was going on; but, thank goodness, nobody outside
Number 5, Golfney Place had the faintest suspicion of his engagement!

He quite understood that this was broken beyond repair. Colonel
Faversham knew when he was beaten. He had been treated in the most
abominable manner, and he never desired to see Bridget's face again.
Unaccustomed to carry a parcel through the streets, he was annoyed
inasmuch as he could not see any kind of cab until he drew near to his
own house, and unfortunately Carrissima happened to be looking out at
the dining-room window.

She could not, however, see his face, and as he had left home in such
ebullient spirits a little while ago, she went to meet him in the hall,
where her eyes at once fell upon the bag.

"What is that?" she asked brightly. "A present for little Victor?"

"No," exclaimed the colonel, mimicking her voice, "it isn't a present
for little Victor! What in the world should I be doing with a present
for little Victor at this hour of the day?"

She naturally perceived that something must have occurred seriously to
ruffle him, even if he had not slammed the door of the smoking-room so
violently behind him. It did not take Carrissima long to draw her own
conclusions. It is true she was ignorant of her father's engagement to
Bridget, but she had anticipated his deposition by Jimmy Clynesworth,
until Mark's conduct had complicated the outlook. On the whole,
Carrissima was inclined to think that the climax had been reached this
morning; that Colonel Faversham, having gone to Golfney Place, had
quarrelled with Bridget, who had insisted on returning such presents as
he had from time to time given to her.

While Colonel Faversham remained hidden in his smoking-room,
Carrissima's mind was busy with his affairs, until about three-quarters
of an hour later she happened to be crossing the hall, and saw Jimmy on
the doorstep in conversation with Knight.

"Oh, Jimmy!" she exclaimed, "do come in!"

Without any hesitation he entered the hall, accompanying her up-stairs
to the drawing-room.

"I don't know whether you have heard the news," he said, as he shut the
door.

"Not a word!" was the answer. "I am positively dying to hear it."

A smile broke over Jimmy's face.

"Bridget has left Golfney Place!" he cried.

"When did she go?" asked Carrissima.

"At half-past three yesterday afternoon."

"Has she sought refuge where she ought to have sought it long ago?"

"Where