rant only laughed.

"You must come with me and have some tea," observed Mrs. Grant, when the
match was over. "My lodgings are just by."

Edna hesitated for a moment, and Bessie touched her arm.

"It is already five," she whispered. "Do you see those dark clouds? We
shall have a thunder-shower soon; I think it would be better to start
for home."

"And be caught in the rain," replied Edna, with a shrug. "And we have no
umbrellas nor waterproofs. No, Bessie; we must take refuge at Mrs.
Grant's until the shower is over. Come along; don't make a fuss. I do
not want to go any more than you do, but it is no use getting wet
through; we cannot help it if we are late for dinner." And so saying,
Edna again joined the talkative Mrs. Grant.

Bessie said no more, but all her uneasiness returned as she followed
Edna. Mrs. Grant had temporary lodgings in the High Street, over a
linen-draper's shop. She ushered her young guests into a large untidy
looking room with three windows overlooking the street. One or two of
the other ladies joined them, and one officer after another soon found
their way up the steep little staircase, for Mrs. Grant was noted for
her hospitality. She called Edna to help her at the tea-table, and
Bessie seated herself by one of the windows. No one took much notice of
her; her good-natured partner at tennis, Leonard Singleton, was not
among Mrs. Grant's guests.

Captain Grant brought her some tea, and offered her cake and fruit, but
he soon left her to devote himself exclusively to Miss Sefton. Bessie
felt very dull, and out in the cold, and yet she had no wish to join the
gay group round the tea-table. The room felt close and oppressive; the
first heavy drops were pattering on the window; two or three children
were running down the street with a yellow dog barking at their heels.

"You will get wet; shall I close the window?" observed a voice behind
her, and Bessie started and looked round at the tall, solemn-looking
young officer who had been introduced to her two hours previously as
"Captain Broughton, not of ours, Miss Lambert."

"Oh, no, I prefer it open, it is so warm," replied Bessie hastily.

"Oh, ah, yes! Are you fond of polo?"

"I never saw it played until this afternoon; it is very exciting, but I
am sure it must be dangerous."

"Nothing to speak of; an accident now and then--man half killed last
Thursday, though."

"Oh, dear, how dreadful!"

The solemn-faced officer relaxed into a smile