aised her hand high above
her head to shake hands with her friend in a manner that was once
considered fashionable in exclusive Bayswater circles.

She then opened the door wide enough for Mavis to edge her way in.
Mavis found herself in an apartment that was normally a pretentiously
furnished drawing-room. Just now, a lately vacated bed was made up on
the sofa; a recently used washing basin stood on a chair; whilst Miss
Meakin's unassumed garments strewed the floor.

"And what's happened to you all this long time?" asked Miss Meakin, as
she sat on the edge of a chair in the manner of one receiving a formal
call.

"To begin with, I'm married," said Mavis hurriedly, at which piece of
information her friend's face fell.

"Any family?" she asked anxiously.

"N-no--not yet."

"I could have married Mr Napper a month ago--in fact he begged me on
his knees to," bridled Miss Meakin.

"Why didn't you?"

"We're going to his aunt's at Littlehampton for the honeymoon, but I'm
certainly not going till it's the season there."

Mavis smiled.

"Would you?" asked Miss Meakin.

"Not if that sort of thing appealed to me."

When Miss Meakin had explained that she had got up late because she had
been to a ball the night before, Mavis told her the reason of her
visit, at which Miss Meakin declared that Mr Napper was the very man to
help her. Mavis asked for his address. While her friend was writing it
down, a violent commotion was heard descending the stairs and advancing
along the passage. Mavis rightly guessed this was caused by the
forcible ejection of the lodger who had failed with his rent.

To Mavis' surprise, Miss Meakin did not make any reference to this
disturbance, but went on talking as if she were living in a refined
atmosphere which was wholly removed from possibility of violation.

"There's one thing I should tell you," said Miss Meakin, as Mavis rose
to take her leave. "Mr Napper's employer, Mr Keating, besides being a
solicitor, sells pianos. Mr N. is expecting a lady friend, who is
thinking of buying one 'on the monthly,' so mind you explain what you
want."

"I won't forget," said Mavis, making an effort to go. But as voices
raised in angry altercation could be heard immediately outside the
front door, Miss Meakin detained Mavis, asking, in the politest tone,
advice on the subject of the most fashionable material to wear at a
select dinner party.

"I've quite given up 'Browning,'" she told Mavis, "he's