he's what they call a leader of Society, yet she doesn't
grudge leaving London for a day or two in the beginning of the Season
to do me a service."

"I seem to know her name," said Dyce.

"Of course you do, if you ever read about what Society is doing."

Lady Ogram always uttered the word with a contemptuous lip, but plainly
she did not dislike to have it understood that Society, in certain of
its representatives, took respectful account of her.

"And now," she continued, "I want to tell you about some other friends
of mine you're to meet at dinner tomorrow. Most of them belong to
Hollingford, and you will have to know them."

Very pungently did she sketch these personages. When her listener
showed amusement, Lady Ogram was pleased; if he seemed to find the
picture too entertaining, she added--"But he--or she--is not a fool,
remember that." So did the talk go on, until a servant entered to
announce the arrival of Mrs. Toplady, who had gone to her room, and,
being rather tired, would rest there till dinner-time.

"Where is Miss Bride?" asked Lady Ogram.

"Miss Bride has just returned from Hollingford, my lady."

"I remember," said the hostess to her guest. "She had an appointment
with Mrs. Gallantry, who has her eye on a house for the
training-school. I suppose we must set the thing going; there's no harm
in it."

Constance entered in a few minutes, greeted Lashmar as if she saw him
every day, and began to talk about Mrs. Gallantry's project.

When, a couple of hours later, Dyce came down dressed for dinner, Mrs.
Toplady was already in the drawing-room. He heard her voice, a
well-modulated contralto which held the ear, and, looking in that
direction, saw a tall, dark-robed woman, of middle age, with a thin
face, its lines rather harsh, but in general effect handsome, and a
warm complexion, brightly red upon the prominent cheek-bones. Jewelry
sparkled in her hair, from her white throat, and on her fingers. As
Lashmar came forward, she finished what she was saying, and turned her
eyes upon him with expectant interest; a smile at the corner of her
lips had a certain mischievousness, quite good-humoured but a little
perturbing to one who encountered it, together with the direct dark
gaze, for the first time. Introduction having been performed with Lady
Ogram's wonted carelessness, Mrs. Toplady said at once:

"I know a friend of yours, Mr. Lashmar,--Mrs. Woolstan. Perhaps she has
spoken to you of me?"

"She has