still
less. He finds consolation in the thought that I'm just amusing myself.'

'I wish you would both come over and dine with us quietly,' said Sibyl,
after reflecting, with a smile. 'It would do us all good. I don't see
many people nowadays, and I'm getting rather tired of ordinary society;
after all, it's great waste of time. I think Hugh is more inclined to
settle down and be quiet among his friends. What day would suit you?'

Alma, engrossed in other thoughts, named a day at random. Part of her
scheme was still undisclosed: she had a special reason for wishing
Sibyl to know of her relations with Felix Dymes, yet feared that she
might not hit exactly the right tone in speaking of him.

'Of course, I must have a man of business--and who do you think has
offered his services?'

Sibyl was not particularly impressed by the mention of Dymes's name;
she had only a slight personal acquaintance with him, and cared little
for his reputation as a composer.

'I had a note from him this morning,' Alma continued. 'He asks me to
see him today at the Apollo--the theatre, you know. They're going to
produce his comic opera, "Blue Roses"--of course, you've heard of it. I
shall feel rather nervous about going there--but it'll be a new
experience. Or do you think it would be more discreet if I got him to
come to Pinner?'

'I didn't think artists cared about those small proprieties,' answered
Sibyl, laughing.

'No--of course, that's the right way to regard it. Let me show you his
letter.' She took it from her little seal-skin bag. 'A trifle impudent,
don't you think? Mr. Dymes has a great opinion of himself, and
absolutely no manners.'

'Well--if you can keep him in hand----'

They exchanged glances, and laughed together.

'No fear of that,' said Alma 'And he's just the kind of man to be very
useful. His music--ah well! But he has popularity, and a great many
people take him at his own estimate. Impudence does go a long way.'

Sibyl nodded, and smiled vaguely.

Dymes had suggested a meeting at three o'clock, and to this Alma had
already given her assent by telegraph. She lunched with Mrs.
Carnaby,--who talked a great deal about the Renaissance,--left
immediately after, to visit a few shops, and drove up to the Apollo
Theatre at the appointed time. Her name sufficed; at once she was
respectfully conducted to a small electric-lighted room, furnished only
with a table and chairs, and hung about with portraits of theatrical