oo excited to speak," June answered for her. "Oh, are we
here already?"

She led the way into the lounge of the big restaurant; Micky was well
known here apparently.

"Every one in London knows Micky," June whispered to Esther with a
sort of pride. "Look at the attention he gets!"

Esther glanced at him; probably anybody with Micky's money could get
the same attention, she thought.

There were a good many people in the lounge; Esther looked at them
interestedly. Some of the women were beautifully dressed, but the
black and white frock held its own bravely.

"You look nicer than any of them," June told her. "I
knew--hullo!--Micky's found a friend." She looked across to where he
was standing, and Esther followed her gaze.

Micky was talking to two ladies--one of them was young and rather
pretty, and the other--Esther's face flushed suddenly, and she bit her
lip hard, for the other was Mrs. Ashton, Raymond's mother.

CHAPTER XIX

Esther unconsciously put out her hand and grasped June's arm; she
would have given anything had it been possible to run away. She saw
Mrs. Ashton turn and look towards where they were standing, and in
another moment she had crossed the lounge and was shaking hands with
June.

"I was just inviting Mr. Mellowes to come and dine with us," she said.
"But he tells me he already has an engagement." Her eyes smiled at
June. "I suppose you are the engagement?" she submitted.

June laughed.

A string band was playing a ragtime tune when they entered the
restaurant. To Esther's unaccustomed eyes the room with its flowers
and many lights was the most wonderful place she had ever seen. She
kept close to Micky as he threaded his way through the small tables
till he found their own, rather at the end of the room and away from
the noisy band.

He put Esther into a comfortable chair and himself took her cloak.

"You don't mind being left while I go back for June?" he asked
hurriedly; "she seems to have got lost."

Esther looked after him as he went quickly back down the length of the
room. She liked him in evening dress. If only it had been Raymond
instead!--she stifled a little sigh; she meant to enjoy herself this
evening; she was not going to allow one single despondent thought.

June and Micky rejoined her almost at once.

"I thought some one had eloped with you," June said laughingly. "Where
did you get to? Micky, how hot this room is--I'm just stifling!"

She threw off her wra