ctfully, it was "une si drole de position pour une
demoiselle du monde," alone with "ces messieurs."

I could not be angry; it was quite true what she said.

"I shall go up this evening to Claridge's, Veronique," I assured
her--"by about the 5.15 train. We will wire to them after luncheon."

She seemed comforted, but she added--in the abstract--that a rich
marriage was what was obviously mademoiselle's fate, and she felt sure
great happiness and many jewels would await mademoiselle if mademoiselle
could be persuaded to make up her mind. Nothing is sacred from one's
maid. She knew all about Mr. Carruthers, of course. Poor old Veronique!
I have a big, warm corner for her in my heart. Sometimes she treats me
with the frigid respect one would pay to a queen, and at others I am
almost her _enfant_, so tender and motherly she is to me. And she puts
up with all my tempers and moods, and pets me like a baby just when I am
the worst of all.

Lord Robert had left me reluctantly when the luncheon gong sounded.

"Haven't we been happy?" he said, taking it for granted I felt the same
as he did. This is a very engaging quality of his, and makes one feel
sympathetic, especially when he looks into one's eyes with his sleepy
blue ones. He has lashes as long and curly as a gypsy's baby.

Mr. Carruthers was alone in the dining-room when I got in; he was
looking out of the window, and turned round sharply as I came up the
room. I am sure he would like to have been killing flies on the panes if
he had been a boy. His eyes were steel.

"Where have you been all the time?" he asked, when he had shaken hands
and said good-morning.

"Up in my room, packing," I said, simply. "Lord Robert was so kind he
helped me. We have got everything done; and may I order the carriage for
the 5.15 train, please?"

"Certainly not. Confound Lord Robert!" Mr. Carruthers said. "What
business is it of his? You are not to go. I won't let you. Dear, silly
little child!--" his voice was quite moved. "You can't possibly go out
into the world all alone. Evangeline, why won't you marry me? I--do you
know, I believe--I shall love you----"

"I should have to be _perfectly sure_ that the person I married loved
me, Mr. Carruthers," I said, demurely, "before I consented to finish up
my life like that."

He had no time to answer, for Mr. Barton and Lord Robert came into the
room.

There seemed a gloom over luncheon. There were pauses, and Lord Robert
had a more p