tainly interest
him. Perhaps he doesn't see the American reviews. Suppose I sent it to
Miss Bride? They can read it together, and it will amuse them."

May assented, and the periodical was addressed to Rivenoak.

Friends came to lunch with them. In the afternoon, they made three
calls. At dinner some score of persons were Mrs. Toplady's guests. Only
as the clock pointed towards midnight did they find an opportunity of
returning to the subject of bio-sociology. Mrs. Toplady wished for an
intimate chat with her guest, who was soon to leave her; she reclined
comfortably in a settee, and looked at the girl, who made a pretty
picture in a high-backed chair.

"I hear that Mr. Lashmar leaves Rivenoak to-morrow," she said,
referring to a letter that had arrived from Lady Ogram this evening. "I
hope he won't be gone when the magazine arrives."

"Indeed? He comes back to-morrow?" said May.

"Not to London. He goes to spend a day or two with his people, it
seems. You don't know them?"

"Not at all. I only know that his father is a rural clergyman."

Mrs. Toplady had observed that May's tone in speaking of Lashmar lacked
something of its former vivacity. The change had been noticeable since
the announcement of the philosopher's betrothal. More than that; the
decline of interest was accompanied by a tendency to speak of Lashmar
as though pityingly, or perhaps even slightingly; and this it was that
manifested itself in May's last remark.

"I don't think it's very common;" Mrs. Toplady let fall, "for the
country clergy--or indeed the clergy anywhere--to have brilliant sons."

"It certainly isn't," May agreed. And, after reflecting, she added: "I
suppose one may call Mr. Lashmar brilliant?"

Miss Tomalin had continued to profit by her opportunities. Before
coming to London, it would have been impossible for her to phrase a
thought thus, and so utter it. That easy superciliousness smacked not
at all of provincial breeding.

"On the whole, I think so," was Mrs. Toplady's modulated reply. "He has
very striking ideas. How odd that somebody else should have hit upon
his theory of civilisation! He ought to have written a book, as I told
him."

"But suppose," suggested May, with some uneasiness, "that he knew about
that French book?"

"Oh, my dear, we can't suppose that! Besides, we haven't read the book.
It may really be quite different in its tendency from Mr. Lashmar's
view."

"I don't see how it _can_ be, Mrs. Toplady. J