"I can't thank you, Caesar, it's too big. Why didn't you let me earn
it?"

"I wanted to prove to you the justice of Sam's opinion of me. Hurry
up; you'll miss your train if there is one at this hour at all."

"You've not filled up the cheque."

"Not I. From what I know of your business methods you'll get what you
want at half the price I should. I'm not going to let St. Michael
fling away good money."

In his excitement Christopher forgot to wait for Patricia, who had
promised to walk to the station with him. (Caesar's complaint anent the
horse vehicles was even more unfounded than his grievance over the
time-table.) But seeing him start, she ran after him and made some
candid and sisterly remarks on his behaviour and was only mollified by
a full explanation of his unwonted state of elation. The rest of the
walk was spent in discussing the merits of various species of motors.

CHAPTER XIV

Christopher spent the whole of the day inspecting possible motors,
perfectly aware all the time of the one he meant to purchase, but in
no wise prepared to forego the pleasures of inspection. Sam was not
free that evening, so he dined with Constantia Wyatt, whose elusive
personality continued to remove her in his eyes far from relationship
with ordinary women. She was going to a "first night" at His Majesty's
Theatre as a preliminary to her evening's amusement, and her husband,
honestly engrossed in work, seized on Christopher at once as an
adequate substitute for his own personal escort. He would meet her
with the carriage after and go with her to the Duchess of Z----, but
it would be a great help to him to have a few early evening hours for
his book; so he explained with elaborate care.

"Basil is so deliciously mediaeval and quaint," Constantia confided to
her young cavalier as the carriage drove off; "he quite seriously
believes women cannot go to a theatre or anywhere without an escort,
even in our enlightened age. I assure you it is quite remarkable the
number of parties we attend together; people are beginning to talk
about it. If it's impossible for him to come himself he always seems
to have hosts of cousins or relations ready to take his place. Oh,
charming people; but quite a family corps, a sort of 'Guard of
Honour,' as if I were Royalty--and really, at my time of life."

She turned her radiantly beautiful face to Christopher. She was indeed
one of those beloved of time and it seemed to Christopher as he