a little
outbreak of folly, of no grave importance, which had doubtless resulted
from the exciting tenor of his life recently. On the whole, it might
serve a useful purpose, reminding him to be on guard against certain
weaknesses of his temperament, likely to be fostered by ease and
liberty.

"Lady Ogram is in town," he announced. "I lunch with her to-morrow."

The news agitated Mrs. Woolstan.

"Will she be alone?"

"I suppose so--except for her secretary, who of course is always with
her."

Iris desired to know all about the secretary, and Lashmar described a
neutral-tinted, pen-wielding young woman, much interested in social
reform.

"Perhaps I shall come to know Lady Ogram," said Iris, modestly. "I may
meet her at Mrs. Toplady's. That would be delightful! I should be able
to follow everything much better."

"To be sure," was the rather dry response. "But I shall be surprised if
the old lady stays long, or sees many people. Her health is of the
shakiest, and London life would be a dangerous experiment, I should
say. I don't at all know why she's coming, unless it is to see doctors."

"Oh, I _do_ hope she'll be careful," panted Iris. "What a terrible
thing it would be if she died suddenly--terrible for you, I mean. She
ought to have some one to look well after her, indeed she ought. I
wish"--this with a laugh--"she would take me as companion. Oh, wouldn't
I have a care of her precious health!"

When he drove to Bunting's Hotel, he had no thought of seeing anyone
but Lady Ogram and Constance; the possibility that there might be other
guests at luncheon did not enter his mind. Conducted to a private
drawing-room on the first floor, he became aware, as the door opened,
of a handsome girl in animated conversation with his two friends; she
seemed so very much at home that he experienced a little shock, as of
the unaccountable, the disconcerting, and his eyes with difficulty
turned from this new face to that of the venerable hostess. Here again
a surprise awaited him; Lady Ogram looked so much younger than when he
took leave of her at Rivenoak, that he marvelled at the transformation.
Notwithstanding her appearance she spoke in a strained, feeble voice,
often indistinct; one noticed, too, that she was harder of hearing.
Having pressed his hand--a very faint pressure, though meant for
cordial--Lady Ogram turned a look upon the bright young lady near her,
and said, with a wheezy emphasis:

"Let me introduce you t