k a good deal."

"Oh, he's worried," said Lady Parham, sharply. "Worried about a good
many things." She turned suddenly, and looked at her companion--an
insolent and deliberate look.

"Ah, that's where the wives come in!" replied Ashe, unperturbed. "Look
at Mrs. Loraine. She has the art to perfection--hasn't she? The way she
cushions Loraine is something wonderful to see."

Lady Parham flushed angrily. The suggested comparison between herself,
and that incessant rattle and blare of social event through which she
dragged her husband--conducting thereby a vulgar campaign of her own, as
arduous as his and far more ambitious--and the ways and character of
gentle Mrs. Loraine, absorbed in the man she adored, scatter-brained and
absent-minded towards the rest of the world, but for him all eyes and
ears, an angel of shelter and protection--this did not now reach the
Prime Minister's wife for the first time. But she had no opportunity to
launch a retort, even supposing she had one ready, for the music ceased,
and the tide of dancers surged towards the doors. It brought Kitty
abruptly face to face with Lady Parham.

"Oh! how d'you do?" said Kitty, in a tone that was already an offence,
and she held out a small hand with an indescribably regal air.

Lady Parham just touched it, glanced at the owner from top to toe, and
walked away. Kitty slipped in beside Ashe for a moment, with her back to
the wall, laughing and breathless.

"I say, Kitty," said Ashe, bending over her and speaking in her small
ear, "I thought Lady Parham was eternally obliged to us. What's wrong
with her?"

"Only that I can't stand her," said Kitty. "What's the good of trying?"
She looked up, a flame of mutiny in her cheeks.

"What, indeed?" said Ashe, feeling as reckless as she. "Her manners are
beyond the bounds. But look here, Kitty, don't you think you'll come
home? You know you do look uncommonly tired."

Kitty frowned.

"Home? Why, I'm only just beginning to enjoy myself! Take me into the
cool, please," she said to the boy who had been dancing with her, and
who still hovered near, in case his divinity might allow him yet a few
more minutes. But as she put out her hand to take his arm, Ashe saw her
waver and look suddenly across the room.

A group parted that had been clustering round a farther door, and Ashe
perceived Cliffe, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. He
was surrounded by pretty women, with whom he seemed to be carryin