, was that the prospect of tea had its
attractions. Accordingly she attempted no further explanations of her
visit just then, and was content to observe Mrs. Stimpson, while she
rippled on complacently.

She saw a matron who might be about fifty, with abundant pale auburn
hair, piled up, and framing her face in a sort of half aureole. The eyes
were small and hazel green; the nose narrow and pointed, the wide,
full-lipped mouth, which wore just then a lusciously ingratiating smile,
showed white but prominent teeth. The complexion was of a uniform
oatmealy tint, and, though Mrs. Wibberley-Stimpson was neither tall nor
slim, she seemed to have taken some pains to preserve a waist.

"Most fortunate I happened to be at home," she was saying. "And if you
had called on one of my _regular_ days, I shouldn't have had the chance
of a _real_ talk with you. As it is, we shall be quite _tete-a-tete_....
Ah, here _is_ tea--you must tell me if you like it weak, dear Lady
Harriet, and I shall remember the _next_ time you come. Yes, you find me
all alone this afternoon. My eldest daughter, Edna, has gone to a
lecture at her Mutual Improvement Society, on a German Philosopher
called Nitchy, or some such name. She's so bookish and well-read, takes
such an interest in all the latest movements--runs up to town for
_matinees_ of intellectual dramas--_quite_ the modern type of girl. But
not a blue-stocking--she's joined a Tango Class lately, and dances most
beautifully, I'm told--just the figure for it. We got up a little
Costume Ball here this winter--perhaps you may have heard of it?--Ah,
well, my Edna was generally admitted to be the _belle_ of the evening. A
perfect Juliet, everybody said. I went as her mother--Lady Capulet, you
know. I _did_ think of going as Queen Elizabeth at one time. I've so
often been told that if I ever went to a Fancy Dress Ball, I ought to go
as her--or at all events as _one_ of our English Queens. But, however, I
didn't. Mr. Stimpson went as a Venetian Doge, but I do _not_ consider
myself that it was at all suitable to him."

She did not say all this without a motive. She knew that a local
Historical Pageant was being arranged for the coming Summer, and that
Lady Harriet was on the Committee. Also she had heard that, after
rehearsals had begun, some of the principal performers had resigned
their parts, and the Committee had some difficulty in finding
substitutes.

It had struck her as not at all unlikely tha