s to be a reconciliation dinner, after the old nonsense
between her and Lady Parham," sighed Lady Tranmore. "It was planned for
Kitty entirely. And she is to act something, isn't she, with that young
De La Riviere from the embassy? I believe the Princess is
coming--expressly to meet her. I have been hearing of it on all sides.
She <i>can't</i> throw it over!"

Margaret shrugged her shoulders. "I believe she will."

The older lady's face showed a sudden cloud of indignation.

"William must really put his foot down," she said, in a low, decided
voice. "It is, of course, most important--just now--"

She said no more, but Margaret French looked up, and they exchanged
glances.

"Let's hope," said Margaret, "that Mr. Ashe will be able to pacify her.
Ah, there she is."

For the front door closed heavily, and instantly the house was aware
from top to toe of a flutter of talk and a frou-frou of skirts. Kitty
ran up the stairs and into the drawing-room, still talking, apparently,
to the footman behind her, and stopped short at the sight of Lady
Tranmore and Margaret. A momentary shadow passed across her face; then
she came forward all smiles.

"Why, they never told me down-stairs!" she said, taking a hand of each
caressingly, and slipping into a seat between them. "Have I lost much of
you?"

"Well, I must soon be off," said Lady Tranmore. "Harry has been
entertaining me."

"Oh, Harry; is he there?" said Kitty, in another voice, perceiving the
child behind his grandmother's dress as he sat on the floor, where Lady
Tranmore had just deposited him.

The baby turned towards his beautiful mother, and, as he saw her, a
little wandering smile began to spread from his uncertain lips to his
deep-brown eyes, till his whole face shone, held to hers as to a magnet,
in a still enchantment.

"Come!" said Kitty, holding out her hands.

With difficulty the child pulled himself towards her, moving in sideway
fashion along the floor, and dragging the helpless foot after him. Again
the shadow crossed Kitty's face. She caught him up, kissed him, and
moved to ring the bell.

"Shall I take him up-stairs?" said Margaret.

"Why, he seems to have only just come down!" said Lady Tranmore. "Must
he go?"

"He can come down again afterwards," said Kitty. "I want to talk to you.
Take him, Margaret."

The babe went without a whimper, still following his mother with his
eyes.

"He looks rather frail," said Lady Tranmore. "I hope you'll s