it's wiser to do that now than to leave it
till later."

Mr. Trew became reproachful, almost sarcastic. This, then, was the
stuff that his little friend, niece of his old friend, was made of, was
it? Crumpling up at the first signs of opposition; stepping out of the
ring directly her opponent held up fists! If Gertie represented the
young woman of to-day, give Mr. Trew the young woman of thirty years
ago. He had changed his mind recently on an important subject--a thing
he rarely did--and half decided to extend the power of voting to the
other sex, but the present case induced him to believe first thoughts
were best.

"I'll have another go then," announced Gertie Higham; "but I don't
guarantee I shall win."

"If I hadn't rather a lot of money out just now," he declared
encouragingly, "I'd put every penny of it on you."

They stopped near to the semicircular cage where the condors, in
evening dress and white boa around the neck, surveyed the garden with
the aloof manner of the higher aristocracy. Gertie waited for an
advance; this did not come. Miss Loriner, at the command of Lady
Douglass, furnished the hour, and a scream of dismay was given,
followed by the issuing of orders. Henry must conduct them out of this
dreadful Park; Henry must find a hansom with a reliable horse, and a
driver of good reputation. Also Henry must come on to see his mother,
and take her on to a tea appointment at Cadogan Gardens, thus saving
trouble to Lady Douglass, who was really so fagged and wearied by this
exhausting afternoon that rest, in a partially darkened room, was
nothing short of imperative.

"Yes," said Gertie, answering Henry's questioning look; "you go!"

Lady Douglass remembered to give a word of farewell when she was a
distance of about ten yards away. "So pleased to have met you!" she
said casually. Henry, near the gates, turned and waved his hand, and
Gertie responded cheerfully.

"Now I want to scream!" she said.

Clarence Mills declared his intention of providing tea, and Trew
admitted a cup or so would not be likely to prove injurious to the
system; might, indeed, have a soothing effect on the mind. They found
an enamelled table on the lawn, and directly Gertie took the handle of
the teapot she was able to announce that she felt considerably improved
in temper. Her cousin gave an imitation of Lady Douglass's speech and
manner, and Gertie imitated the imitation. Mr. Trew had a difficulty
in deciding