sed evening left to him. He looked at Willie and
opened his mouth to speak; but he shut it again. It did not seem to him
that he could question Willie Prime about the lady. She had chosen to
tell him nothing, and her will was his law. But he was yearning to know
what she was and how she came there. He refrained; and this time virtue
really had a reward beyond itself, for Willie would blithely have told
him that she was a dressmaker (he called Nettie, however, the manager
of a Court modiste's business), and that would not have pleased Charlie.

It was all very well for Charlie to count on that blessed evening; but
he reckoned without his host--or rather without his guests.

The Bushells came to lunch, Millie driving her terrified mother in a
lofty gig; and at lunch Millie recounted her vision of Agatha Merceron.
She did not believe it, of course; but it was queer, wasn't it? Victor
Sutton rose to the bait at once.

"We'll investigate it," he cried. "Merceron," (he meant the patient Mr.
Vansittart), "didn't yon once write an article on 'Apparitions' for
_Intellect_?"

"Yes, I proved there were none," answered Mr. Vansittart.

"That's impossible, you know," remarked Mrs. Marland gently.

"We'll put you to the proof this very evening," declared Mr. Sutton.

Charlie started.

"Are you game, Miss Bushell?" continued Victor.

"Ye--yes, if you'll keep quite near me, answered Millie, with a playful
shudder. Charlie reflected how ill playfulness became her, and frowned.
But Millie was pleased to see him frown; she enjoyed showing him that
other men liked to keep quite near to her.

"Then this evening we'll go in a body to the Pool."

"I shall not go," shuddered Mrs. Marland.

"An hour after sunset!"

"Half an hour. She might be early--and we'll stay half an hour after.
We'll give her a fair show."

"Come," thought Charlie. "I shall get an hour with Agatha."

"You'll come, Charlie?" asked Victor.

"Oh, all right," he answered, hiding all signs of vexation. He could
get back by six and join the party. But why was Mrs. Marland looking at
him?

The first step, however, towards getting back is to get there, and
Charlie found this none so easy. After lunch came lawn-tennis, and he
was impressed. Mr. Vansittart played a middle-aged game, and Victor had
found little leisure for this modest sport among his more ambitious
amusements. Charlie had to balance Millie Bushell, and he spent a very
hot and wearying afternoon.