ides,
what do you imagine will become of me when you're married?"

"Oh well," said Carrissima, "there's no need to anticipate anything of
that kind just yet."

"No," was the answer. "So it seems. What has happened to Mark Driver?
He used to haunt the house, but now we never see him. I tell you what,
Carrissima. A good many of you young women are just a little bit too
exacting!"

"If I don't go I shall be late for dinner," exclaimed Carrissima
hastily, and a few minutes later she was on the way to Aberdeen Mansion
in a hired brougham.

Reaching the block of flats two minutes before the clock struck
half-past seven, Carrissima went up to the second floor in the lift,
pressed the bell button and was at once admitted by Jimmy's man. A
tall parlour-maid met her in the hall, and took her to a bedroom, where
Carrissima removed her cloak.

"Will you come this way?" said the parlour-maid, and led her to a
miniature drawing-room which, to Carrissima's astonishment, was empty.
"I am very sorry," the girl continued, in response to an inquiring
glance, "but Mr. and Mrs. Clynesworth have not come in yet."

"Can I have made a mistake in the day?" said Carrissima. "Are you
certain Mrs. Clynesworth expected me this evening?"

"Yes," was the answer, given with some hesitation.

"At what time?"

"Dinner is ordered for eight o'clock," said the parlour-maid.

"Oh, then that accounts for it," cried Carrissima. "I understood it
was to be half-past seven."

"We always dine at eight," returned the parlour-maid, as she stirred
the fire. "If you wouldn't mind taking a chair," she added, "Mr. and
Mrs. Clynesworth will not be many minutes."

With that she left the room and shut the door, only to re-open it again
a few moments later, whereupon Mark Driver entered without any
announcement. To judge by appearances, he was far more astonished to
behold Carrissima than she to see him. For a second he stood stock
still just within the door, gazing down at her face in silence. It was
she who at last broke through the embarrassment, rising and offering
her hand.

"Good-evening, Mark!" she said.

"Good-evening," he replied, and then the conversation threatened to
languish.

"What," asked Carrissima, "do you imagine has become of our host and
hostess?"

"Goodness knows," said Mark. "There's obviously some mistake. Anyhow,
I was immensely surprised to see their other guest."

"Really!" cried Carrissima, sitting down again