I made a mistake, I
think it's excusable. I see that Miss Bride thinks it funny, but she
has the advantage of me in age, and in--in several other ways."

Even whilst speaking, May knew that she committed an imprudence; she
remembered all that depended upon Constance's disposition towards her.
And indeed, she could not have spoken more unwisely. In the inflamed
state of Constance's pride, a feminine slap such as this sent such a
tingling along her nerves that she quivered visibly. It flashed into
her mind that Dyce Lashmar had all but certainly talked of her to
May--with significant look and tone, whatever his words. How much had
he told her? Lady Ogram's voice was again heard.

"Well, that's true. You're only a child, and perhaps you said something
which sounded as you didn't mean it."

Constance was gazing at the speaker. Her lips moved, as if in a
nervously ineffectual effort to say something.

"Miss Bride can go back to her work again," said Lady Ogram, as if
dismissing a servant.

May smiled, openly and disdainfully. She could not resist the pleasure
of showing her superiority. The smile had not died away, when Constance
spoke.

"I will ask your permission to stay for a few minutes longer, Lady
Ogram. As Miss Tomalin has so satisfactorily explained her part in this
unfortunate affair, I think I had better use this opportunity for
making known to you something which concerns her, and which, I am sure,
will interest you very much. It won't take me long--if you feel able to
listen."

"What is it?" asked the autocrat, sharply.

"You are aware that Mr. Lashmar called very early this morning. He
came, as I said, on private business. He had something of importance to
tell me, and he asked my help in a great difficulty."

"Something about the election?"

"It had nothing whatever to do with that. I'll put it in the fewest
possible words, not to waste your time and my own. Mr. Lashmar began by
saying that if I didn't mind, he would be glad to be released from his
engagement to me."

"What!"

"Pray don't let there be any misunderstanding--this time," said
Constance, whose grave irony was perhaps somewhat too fine for the
intelligence of either of her hearers. "Mr. Lash mar behaved like a man
of honour, and I quite approve of the way in which he expressed
himself. His words would have been perfectly intelligible--even to Miss
Tomalin. Admitting his right to withdraw from the engagement if he had
conscientious