making so much effort not to be
late. Nevertheless, to please Terry---- He could feel her body
twitching. Every time he had to slow down for traffic he was aware of
her impatience. Why was it of such vital importance to her that they
should arrive in time? She wasn't too punctual by habit. A thought
struck him; it was like a searchlight pointing out many things that had
been dark. Her anxiety wasn't that they should arrive in time, but
before time. She didn't intend, if she could prevent it, that he should
meet the owner of the car. Had it not been for the double accident of
Prentys spraining her wrist and having failed to mention that the car
must be back by three-thirty, he would never have been allowed to know
that there was a General. Terry had been compelled to let him drive if
the borrowed car was to be returned; but her main object now was to
reach the War Office a few minutes early and to smuggle him off before
an introduction would be necessary. If they arrived punctually or late,
the General might be already on the pavement---- Tabs bit his lip. He
hated petty intrigue. He demanded a man's code of honor from the woman
he adored and made no feeble excuses for feminine dishonesty. This was
the worst disappointment she had given him.

As they approached Hyde Park, when it was too late to turn off into a
side-street, he saw that the road ahead was blocked. He worked the car
as far forward as possible and then had to halt. Terry was nervously
consulting her watch. "The time?" he asked.

"Three-twenty-three."

"Then this puts the lid on it." He beckoned to a policeman, "What's
holding us up?"

"The Queen's expected, so I'm told, sir, though us didn't 'ave no proper
warning."

At that moment the crowd out of sight commenced cheering. The cheering
spread and drew nearer. It was taken up by people who were strung across
the road immediately in front. A carriage flashed by in which two ladies
were sitting, one of whom was bowing from right to left. Despite her
irritation at the delay, Terry stood up so that she could get a clearer
view above the clustered heads. The cheering grew deafening, then
lessened, and sank to a hoarse murmur beneath the trees of the Park. As
she reseated herself and the traffic lurched forward, she turned to
Tabs, "You noticed who it was?"

"The Queen."

"Yes, but the lady who was with her?"

"I didn't see."

"It was Diana--Lady Dawn with whom I nursed. She's supposed to be the
most