dear," would be the answer; "I don't care
to go about by myself. You must get well quickly and take me."

And so the argument continued, until one evening, as she sat by herself,
the nurse entered softly, closed the door behind her, and came over to
her.

"I wish you would go out to-night, ma'am," said the nurse, "just for an
hour or two. I think it would please the master; he is worrying himself
because he thinks it is his fault that you do not; and just now"--the
woman hesitated for a moment--"just now I want to keep him very quiet."

"Is he weaker, nurse?"

"Well, he is not stronger, ma'am, and I think--I think we must humour
him."

The Honourable Mrs. Drayton rose, and, crossing to the window, stood for
a while looking out.

"But where am I to go, nurse?" she said at length, turning with a smile.
"I've no invitations anywhere."

"Can't you make believe to have one?" said the nurse. "It is only seven
o'clock. Say you are going to a dinner-party; you can come home early
then. Go and dress yourself, and come down and say good-bye to him, and
then come in again about eleven, as though you had just returned."

"You think I must, nurse?"

"I think it would be better, ma'am. I wish you would try it."

The Honourable Mrs. Drayton went to the door, then paused.

"He has such sharp ears, nurse; he will listen for the opening of the
door and the sound of the carriage."

"I will see to that," said the nurse. "I will tell them to have the
carriage here at ten minutes to eight. Then you can drive to the end of
the street, slip out, and walk back. I will let you in myself."

"And about coming home?" asked the other woman.

"You must slip out for a few minutes before eleven, and the carriage must
be waiting for you at the corner again. Leave all that to me."

In half an hour the Honourable Mrs. Drayton entered the sick-room,
radiant in evening dress and jewels. Fortunately the lights were low, or
"Blase-Billy" might have been doubtful as to the effect his wife was
likely to produce. For her face was not the face that one takes to
dinner-parties.

"Nurse tells me you are going to the Grevilles this evening. I am so
glad. I've been worrying myself about you, moped up here right through
the season."

He took her hands in his and held her out at arm's length from him.

"How handsome you look, dear!" he said. "How they must have all been
cursing me for keeping you shut up here, like a princess in an