her husband,
and held herself ready. 'I came home early because I want to alter the
lace on my yellow bodice for tonight. It's too disgusting as it is. But
I was rather glad to get away from Mrs. Mickie's lot. So rowdy!'

'And I came because I had a special reason for wanting to speak to you.'

Mrs. Violet's lips parted, and her breath, in spite of herself, came a
little faster.

'As we are dining out tonight, I thought that if I didn't catch you now
I might not have another opportunity--till tomorrow morning.'

'And it's always a pity to spoil one's breakfast. I can tell from your
manner, mon ami, it's something disagreeable. What have I been and gone
and done?'

She was dancing, poor thing, in her little vulgar way, on hot iron. But
her eyes kept their inconsistent coolness.

'I heard something today which you are not in the way of hearing. You
have--probably--no conception that it could be said.'

'Then she has been telling other people. ABSOLUTELY the worst thing she
could do!' Mrs. Innes exclaimed privately, sitting unmoved, her face a
little too expectant.

'You won't be prepared for it--you may be shocked and hurt by it.
Indeed, I think there is no need to repeat it to you. But I must put you
on your guard. Men are coarser, you know, than women; they are apt to
put their own interpretation--'

'What is it?'

There was a physical gasp, a sharpness in her voice that brought Innes's
eyes from the floor to her face.

'I am sorry,' he said, 'but--don't overestimate it, don't let it worry
you. It was simply a very impertinent--a very disagreeable reference
to you and Mr. Holmcroft, I think, in connection with the Dovedell's
picnic. It was a particularly silly thing as well, and I am sure no one
would attach any importance to it, but it was said openly at the Club,
and--'

'Who said it?' Mrs. Innes demanded.

A flood of colour rushed over her face. Horace marked that she blushed.

'I don't know whether I ought to tell you, Violet. It certainly was not
meant for your ears.'

'If I'm not to know who said it, I don't see why I should pay any
attention to it. Mere idle rumour--'

Innes bit his lip.

'Captain Gordon said it,' he replied.

'Bobby Gordon! DO tell me what he said! I'm dying to know. Was he very
disagreeable? I DID give his dance away on Thursday night.'

Innes looked at her with the curious distrust which she often inspired
in him. He had a feeling that he would like to put her out of t