t ago,
to say the house was still on your hands!"

"Quite so, madam. And it was. But only on Monday Mr Maplestone
motored over from Wembly. Mr Maplestone is Squire there--a very
influential gentleman in these parts. He is looking out a house for a
relative, and had only just heard that Pastimes was vacant. He drove
over, as I say, and telegraphed to his friend that the house was too
good to lose. He expected a reply this evening."

"When it will be too late!" Charmion said calmly. "You told him, of
course, that you were in treaty with another tenant?"

"I did, madam. Quite so. But"--the little man hesitated, and fidgeted
uncomfortably--"Mr Maplestone is--er--accustomed to get his own way! I
explained that I must accept a definite offer, and that you had the
first option, but I am afraid that he hardly realises--"

Charmion waved an imperial hand.

"We are not concerned with Mr Maplestone, or what he expects. Pastimes
is ours, and that settles the question. To-morrow morning Miss Wastneys
and I will meet you at eleven o'clock, to go over the house together.
It is in good order, but we shall require a little decoration and
painting here and there. You will be able to advise us how to get it
done well and quickly. When I say quickly I _mean_ quickly! Plenty of
men must be put on to begin the work and finish it in a few days' time,
not one or two who will drag on for weeks. You can get us an estimate
for time, as well as for cost."

Mr Edwards bowed, murmured, and waved his hands. He looked overcome,
poor man, as well he might, for if one would-be client demanded his own
way, the other was obviously determined to have hers. Between the two
his path was not easy! I smiled at him ingratiatingly, just to help
things along, but he took little notice of me. Obviously, in Charmion's
company I did _not_ "take the eye!"

On the way home I expressed sympathy for the disappointed Mr
Maplestone, but Charmion refused to agree.

"I don't know the man, so his pleasures and disappointments don't enter
into my sphere. Promiscuous universal sympathy is too great a tax on
the nervous system. Why should I distress myself about a man I have
never seen?"

"Not distress yourself exactly, but you might cast a kindly thought. He
will be disappointed, and the poor little agent will have a bad
half-hour."

"Now you are asking sympathy for the agent, too! Evelyn, aren't you the
least little bit in the world incli