topping of gilt-foil, the arrangement of
wire and string, that as the stinging foam overflowed the goblet, snapping
in iridescent bubbles at the cautious sipper's nose, and evaporated,
leaving nothing in particular at the bottom, it was barely possible to
believe the vintage other than the genuine article from Fleet Street.
Stay.... The French quotations were not enclosed in inverted commas. That
let Lady Hannah out.

"Society in Gueldersdorp," she wrote, "bubbles with interested expectation
of the public announcement of a matrimonial engagement with which the
intimate friends of the happy lovers profess _etre aux anges_.

* * * * *

"Not for worlds would we draw the veil of delightful mystery completely
aside from the secret of two young, charming and popular people. Yet it
may be hinted that the elder son of a representative English House and
heir of a sixteenth-century Marquisate, who is one of the most gallant and
dashing among the many heroic defenders of our beleaguered town, proposes
at no very distant date to lead to the altar one of the loveliest among
the many lovely girls who grace Gueldersdorp's social functions.

* * * * *

"Both bride-elect and bridegroom-to-be attended High Mass at the Catholic
Church on Sunday, when the Rev. Father Wix, in apprising parishioners of
the near approach of Lent, caused an irresistible smile to ripple over the
faces of his hearers. _Toujours perdrix_ may sate in the long-run, but
perpetually to _faire maigre_ is attended with even greater discomfort.

* * * * *

"We have pleasure in announcing the approaching marriage of Lieutenant the
Right Hon. Viscount Beauvayse, Grey Hussars, Junior Aide to the Colonel
Commanding H.M. Forces, Gueldersdorp, to Miss Lynette Bridget-Mary
Mildare, ward of the Mother-Superior, Convent of the Holy Way, North Veld
Road."

XLV

Saxham has not been staring at the printed words because they have struck
him to the heart with their intelligence, but--or so it seems to
him--because they convey nothing. There is an aching pain at the back of
his neck, and his mind is curiously dull and sluggish. But after a little
he becomes aware that somebody is knocking at his door.

"Who is it----"

The Doctor thinks he utters these words, but in reality he has only made
a harsh croaking sound that might mean anything. The door opens and shows
the Chap