tely
nothing to do, you see; it's a kindness to employ him."

"What do you give him to do?"

"It depends. This time I've told him to get hold of Rupert and ask us
all three--I mean you, and me and Rupert--to dine and go to some play.
It would be so much less ceremonious than asking Rupert here, with
Percy."

"Oh, darling Bertha, you're an angel! I always said Nigel was charming.
What about Mrs. Nigel, and Percy?"

"Don't worry; that shall be arranged. Their rights shall not be ignored,
nor their interests neglected! Percy's little finger is worth all Nigel.
Still, Nigel has his good points; he might help us in this. There are so
many things he can do, he's so _fin_--and adaptable, and diplomatic.
That young brother of his, Charlie, is in love with you, Madeline. Now,
he's a boy who _could_ marry, and who wants to. If you gave him only a
look of encouragement he would propose at once. And he has a good deal
of Nigel's charm, though he's not so clever, but he's very much
steadier. Really, it's a pity you don't like him. I'm sorry."

"Oh, I couldn't," said Madeline.

"He's quite a nice boy, too; and I know how much he likes you, from
Nigel."

"Oh, I couldn't!" Madeline repeated, shaking her head.

Bertha seemed silently to assent.

"And will dear Nigel ask me all the same to meet Rupert, Bertha?"

"Oh yes; we'll arrange it to-day. Nigel's delightfully prompt, and never
delays anything."

"And what will happen to Percy? You scarcely ever go out without him."

"Oh, I can persuade Percy, for once, that he wants his mother to go with
him to the Queen's Hall. And I'll make Lady Kellynch think it's rather a
shame of her to take my place; then she'll enjoy it. We'll arrange it
for next week. I'm expecting her this afternoon."

"Oh, are you? I'm always rather afraid she doesn't like me," said
Madeline pensively.

"She doesn't _dis_like you. She doesn't dislike anybody; only, simply,
you don't exist for her. My mother-in-law really believes that the whole
of humanity consists of her own family; first, her late husband; then
Percy, then Clifford, the boy at school, and, in a very slight degree,
me too, because I'm married to Percy. I do like Clifford, though he's a
spoilt boy, and selfish. But he's great fun. How his mother adores him!
I hope she won't stay long to-day--Nigel will be here at six."

Madeline fell into a reverie, a sort of mental swoon. Then she suddenly
woke up and said with great animation,--

"