, in matters connected with the worldly life, sometimes
almost amounted to genius. That note to Charmian gave a new direction to
her thoughts, set certain subtleties of the past which had vaguely
troubled her in a new and stronger light. She awaited, with an interest
that was not wholly pleasant, Charmian's decision of the morrow.

Charmian had been very casual in manner when she came to her mother with
the surprising invitation. She was almost as casual on the following
morning when she entered the dining-room where Mrs. Mansfield was
breakfasting by electric light. For a gloom as of night hung over the
Square, although it was ten o'clock.

"Have you been thinking it over, Charmian?" said her mother, as the girl
sat languidly down.

"Yes, mother--lazily."

She sipped her tea, looking straight before her with a cold and dreamy
expression.

"Have you been active enough to arrive at any conclusion?"

"I got up quite undecided, but now I think I'll say 'Yes,' if you don't
mind. When I looked out of the window this morning I felt as if the
Mediterranean would be nicer than this. There's only one thing--why
don't you come, too?"

"I haven't been asked."

"And why not?"

"Adelaide's too modern to ask mothers and daughters together," said Mrs.
Mansfield, smiling.

"Would you go if she asked you?"

"No. Well, now the thing is to find out what the party is to be. Write
the truth, and say you'll go if I know who's to be there and allow you
to go. Adelaide knows quite well she has lots of friends I shouldn't
care for you to yacht with. And it's much better to be quite frank about
it. If Susan Fleet and Max go, you can go."

"I believe you are really the frankest person in London. And yet people
love you--miracle-working mother!"

Charmian turned the conversation to other subjects and seemed to forget
all about _The Wanderer_. But when breakfast was over, and she was alone
before her little Chippendale writing-table, she let herself go to her
excitement. Although she loved, even adored her mother, she sometimes
acted to her. To do so was natural to Charmian. It did not imply any
diminution of love or any distrust. It was but an instinctive assertion
of a not at all uncommon type of temperament. The coldness and the
dreaminess were gone now, but her excitement was mingled with a great
uncertainty.

On receiving Mrs. Shiffney's note Charmian had almost instantly
understood why she had been asked on the cruise. Her