you heard anything from the Manor? That wretched girl has never
sent me as much as a postal, and I'm dying to hear what's going on."

"No. I've heard nothing. I never for a moment expected that I should.
Greville is too much engaged." Guest knitted his brows, bitched his
trousers at the knee, and cleared his throat uncertainly. Cornelia
divined that he was waiting for her to refer to his aunt's invitation,
and feeling somewhat at a loss to account for the severity of her
costume. At last the question came out suddenly.

"Er--you got my note?"

"I did! I thank you for it. It was real kind of good to take the
trouble. I suppose you had to go and ask for those invitations?"

"I asked, of course, but my aunt was delighted to give them. It will be
quite worth going to, I think--good music, and something of a function!
You would enjoy seeing the people. I hope you are not going to say that
you can't come!"

"What makes you think that, I wonder? Don't I look smart enough? I'm
sorry you don't approve of my costume!" She sat up straight in her
seat; a smart little hat perched on the top of shaded locks; a neat
little stock beneath the rolled-back collar of her coat; minute little
shoes, with ridiculous points, appearing beneath the hem of her skirt.
Guest looked her over deliberately, his dark face softening into a very
charming smile.

"I do! Very much indeed!"

"Maybe it's a trifle homely, but it's best to strike a balance. Mrs
Moffatt's apt to be a bit gaudy on these occasions."

"It is very good of her to take so much trouble. Is--er--is she nearly
ready, do you know?"

Cornelia had been narrowly on the watch for the flicker of dismay on
Guest's face; it came surely enough, but was suppressed by such a
gallant effort that, to use her own vernacular, she "weakened" at the
sight. The impish light died out of her eyes, and she said frankly--

"I guess I've been jollying all the time! Mrs Moffatt's gone with her
husband to visit a friend who lives quite a good way out, and she won't
be back before seven. I didn't tell her of your invitation, as her
plans were made, so it wasn't worth while. I'm `alone in London' for
the afternoon. Sounds kinder pathetic, don't it; but I'm enjoying it
very well."

"Then--er--am I to have the pleasure of taking you alone?"

Cornelia threw him a glance of tragic reproach.

"Captain Guest! I'm surpr-iz-ed! How dare you take advantage of my
unprotected positio