pon him; he resolved that he
would say not a word to Constance of what had passed this morning. If
she wished to speak of the proposed date of their marriage, let her
broach the subject herself. Through the meal he was taciturn.

Miss Bride and he dined alone together that evening. They had not met
since mid-day. Dyce was still disinclined for talk; Constance, on the
other hand, fell into a cheerful vein of chat, and seemed not at all to
notice her companion's lack of amiability.

"I shall go by the 8.27," said Dyce, abruptly, towards the end of the
meal.

"Yes, that's your best train. You'll be at Alverholme before ten
o'clock."

After dinner, they sat together for scarcely a quarter of an hour,
Constance talking of politics. Dyce absolutely silent. Then Miss Bride
rose, and offered her hand.

"So, good-bye!"

She spoke so pleasantly, and looked so kindly, that Lashmar for a
moment felt ashamed of himself. He pressed her hand, and endeavoured to
speak cordially.

"Shall I hear from you?" Constance asked, trying to meet his eyes.

"Why, of course, very soon."

"Thank you. I shall be very glad."

Thus they parted. And Dyce, for a couple of hours, sat smoking and
brooding.

On the morrow, at luncheon, Lady Ogram mentioned to Constance that May
Tomalin would arrive on the following afternoon. She added, presently,
that Lord Dymchurch had accepted an invitation to Rivenoak for a day or
two in the ensuing week.

That morning, the post had brought Constance a letter and a packet. The
letter was from Mrs. Toplady, who wrote thus:

"Dear Miss Bride,

"This morning I came across an article in an American magazine which it
struck me would interest you. The subject is: 'Recent Sociological
Speculations.' It reviews several books, among them one by a French
author which seems to be very interesting. When I showed the article to
Miss Tomalin, she agreed with me that there seemed a striking
resemblance between the theories of this French sociologist and those
which Mr. Lashmar has independently formed. Probably Mr. Lashmar would
like to see the book. In any case, you and he will, I am sure, be
interested in reading this article together.

"To my great regret, Miss Tomalin--or May, as I have come to call
her--leaves me the day after to-morrow. But the advantage is yours at
Rivenoak. Please give my love to dear Lady Ogram, who I hope is now
quite well again. With kindest regards.

"Sincerely yours,

"GERALDIN