ew that he was comparing her with the
other girls who were present, knew also by the deep glow of that
returning glance, that in his eyes she was fairest and best. The former
irritation dropped from her like a cloak.

Tea was over, the guests rose from their seats. Erskine stood by
Claire's side looking down at her with a quizzical smile.

"Er--did you notice that man who came in just before tea, with the girl
in the pink frock? He was sitting over there, on the right?"

"Yes, I noticed him. I could see him quite well. Why?"

"What did you think of him?"

"Quite nice. I liked his face. Good-natured and interesting."

Erskine laughed.

"Sure?"

"Quite sure. Why?"

"Don't recognise him at all? Doesn't remind you of any one you know?"

"Not in the least. Why should he?"

Erskine laughed again.

"I'm afraid your memory is defective. I must introduce you again!" He
walked away, laid his hand on the arm of the new-comer, and led him back
to Claire's side. "Miss Gifford," he said gravely, "allow me to
introduce--Major Carew!"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

FOUND OUT.

The man with the good-natured, interesting face bowed to Claire with the
alacrity which the normal man shows at an introduction to a pretty girl;
Claire stared blankly, recovered herself, and returned his bow in formal
manner. Erskine looked from one to the other in undisguised surprise.

"I thought you had met... You told me you had met Carew in town!"

"Not _this_ Major Carew!" Claire could not suppress a tone of regret.
With all her heart she wished that the man before her had been Cecil's
fiance.

"It was the same name, but--"

"Not the same man? It's not an unusual name, I expect there are several
of us knocking about," the present Major Carew said smilingly. "Do you
happen to know his regiment?"

Claire knew it well, but as she pronounced the name, the hearer's face
crinkled in confusion.

"But that is my own regiment! There _is_ no other Carew! There's some
mistake. You have mixed up the names."

"Oh no. I've heard it a hundred times. It is impossible to be
mistaken. His Christian name is Frank."

"_My_ name is Frank!" the strange man said, and stared at Claire in
increasing perplexity. "There is certainly not another Frank Carew in
the M---. There is something wrong about this. I don't understand!"

"He is a member of the --- Club, and his people live in Surrey. He has
an old father who is an invalid,