f payment
for the special risk she would run to-night, and was sorely vexed that
she could not succeed in intimidating Editha with threats of
vigilance-patrol and whipping-posts.

Mistress de Chavasse knew full well that the Endicotts did not intend to
quarrel with her, and having threatened rupture unless her commands were
obeyed, she had no wish to argue the matter further with her henchwoman.

At that moment, too, there came the sound of significant and methodical
rappings at the door. Editha, who had persistently throughout her
discussion with Mistress Endicott, kept one ear open for that sound,
heard it even through the buzz of talk. She made a scarcely visible
gesture of the hand, bidding the other woman to follow her: that gesture
was quickly followed by a look of command.

Mistress Endicott presumably had finally made up her mind to obey. She
shrugged her fat shoulders and followed Mistress de Chavasse as far as
the center of the room.

"Remember that you are the hostess now," murmured Editha to her, as she
herself went to the door and opened it.

With an affected cry of surprise and pleasure she welcomed Sir Marmaduke
de Chavasse, who was standing on the threshold, prepared to enter and
escorted by his young secretary, Master Richard Lambert.

CHAPTER XVII

RUS IN URBE

One or two of the men looked up as de Chavasse entered, but no one took
much notice of him.

Most of those present remembered him from the past few years when still
with pockets well filled through having forestalled Lady Sue's
maintenance money, he was an habitual frequenter of some of the smart
secret clubs in town; but here, just the same as elsewhere, Sir
Marmaduke was not a popular man, and many there were who had unpleasant
recollections of his surly temper and uncouth ways, whenever fickle
Fortune happened not to favor him.

Even now, he looked sullen and disagreeable as, having exchanged a
significant glance with his sister-in-law, he gave a comprehensive nod
to the assembled guests, which had nothing in it either of cordiality or
of good-will. He touched Editha's finger tips with his lips, and then
advanced into the room.

Here he was met by Mistress Endicott, who had effectually thrown off the
last vestige of annoyance and of rebellion, for she greeted the newcomer
with marked good-humor and an encouraging smile.

"It is indeed a pleasure to see that Sir Marmaduke de Chavasse hath not
forgot old friends," she sa