o us because my husband is one
of the few Radical peers."

"You have not heard of any recent change in him--in this respect?"

"Well, I did hear Wolfendon chaffing him the other day about somebody,"
she said. "Oh, I know. He has been going often to the Duchess of
Dorset's. He is such an ultra Radical, you know, and the Dorsets are
fierce Tories. Wolfendon says it is a most unwise thing for a good
Radical who wants to retain the confidence of the people to be seen
about with a Duchess."

"The Duchess of Dorset," Mr. Sabin remarked, "must be, well--a
middle-aged woman."

Helene laughed.

"She is sixty if she is a day. But I daresay she herself is not the
attraction. There is a very beautiful woman staying with her--the
Countess Radantz. A Hungarian, I believe."

Mr. Sabin sat quite still. His face was turned away from Helene. She
herself was smiling out of the window at some acquaintances.

"I wonder if there is anything more that I can tell you?" she asked
presently.

He turned towards her with a faint smile.

"You have told me," he said, "all that I want to know."

She was struck by the change in his face, the quietness of his tone was
ominous.

"Am I meant to understand?" she said dubiously "because I don't in the
least. It seems to me that have told you nothing. I cannot imagine what
Mr. Brott and you have in common."

"If your invitation to lunch still holds good," he said, "may I accept
it? Afterwards, if you can spare me a few minutes I will make things
quite clear to you."

She laughed.

"You will find," she declared, "that I shall leave you little peace for
luncheon. I am consumed with curiosity."

CHAPTER XV

Nevertheless, Mr. Sabin lunched with discretion, as usual, but with no
lack of appetite. It chanced that they were alone. Lord Camperdown was
down in the Midlands for a day's hunting, and Helene had ensured their
seclusion from any one who might drop in by a whispered word to the
hall porter as they passed into the house. It seemed to her that she had
never found Mr. Sabin more entertaining, had never more appreciated his
rare gift of effortless and anecdotal conversation. What a marvelous
memory! He knew something of every country from the inside. He had been
brought at various times during his long diplomatic career into contact
with most of the interesting people in the world. He knew well how
to separate the grain from the chaff according to the tastes of
his listener. The pat