plexioned ladies. Mr.
Maraton, have you been a great traveller?"

He shook his head.

"I have been in South America," he replied, "and I know most of the
country between San Francisco and New York pretty well."

"And Europe?" she asked.

"I walked from Vienna to Paris when I was a boy," he told her. "It's
years, though, since I was on the Continent."

Her cousin began to talk of his hunting experiences, and every one
listened. As soon as the service of luncheon was concluded, Lady
Grenside rose.

"I dare say we shall all meet again before you go," she said. "Coffee
is being served to you in the library, Stephen. We won't say good-bye
to anybody. Jack, don't forget that you are dining here to-night. You
shall take in the blackest young lady I can pick out for you."

Elisabeth followed her mother. At the last moment, Maraton caught a
little whisper which only just floated from her lips.

"Till four o'clock!"

The two younger men took their departure almost immediately. The others
moved into the library. Mr. Foley plunged at once into the subject
which was uppermost in their minds.

"Mr. Maraton," he began, "we want to talk about these strikes. Horrill
here, and Blend, have an idea that you are working towards some definite
result--that you have more in your mind than I have told them. It is
only this morning," he went on in a lower tone, and glancing towards the
closed door, "that I explained to them your Manchester speech. They
know now that England has you to thank for the fact that we are not at
this moment preparing for war."

CHAPTER XXII

Between three and four o'clock, half a dozen people, on different
devices, tried to draw Elisabeth from her retirement. Her particular
friend called to suggest a round of the picture galleries, tea at the
club, and a motor ride to Ranelagh. Lord Carton repeated his invitation
to a game of golf. Two people invited her out into the country on
various pretexts. Her dressmaker rang up and begged for her presence
without delay. To all of these importunities Elisabeth remained deaf.
She sat in her room in an easy-chair drawn up to the open window, with a
book in her hand at which she scarcely glanced. Her thoughts were with
the five men downstairs. Every now and then she glanced at the clock.
She heard the conference break up. She sat quite still, listening.
Presently there was the sound of a firm tread upon the stairs. She
closed her book and breathed a little sigh.