supper-room,
desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding
in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been
eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically
nothing."

"But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.

"That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case. But so long as
you are in my charge, I, and not Trevor, am the one to direct your choice
of acquaintances, and I very strongly object to the inclusion of this
Frenchman in the number. It is my desire, Chris, that you do not see him
again during the rest of the time that you are under my roof. I intend to
speak to Trevor upon the matter at the earliest opportunity. I consider
that, in the face of what has occurred, he would be extremely ill-advised
to retain this unknown foreigner in his employment, though I should
imagine he has already arrived at that conclusion for himself. I could
see that he was seriously displeased by your behaviour last night."

"Oh, was he?" said Chris blankly. "He didn't say so."

"He probably realized that it would be useless to express his displeasure
at such a time. But let me warn you, Chris. He is not a man to stand any
trifling. I have heard it from several quarters. Jack, as you are aware,
knows him well, and he will tell you the same. You may try his patience
too far, and that, I presume, is not your intention. Should it happen, I
think that you would regret it all your life."

"But I haven't trifled! I don't trifle!" protested Chris, divided between
distress and indignation.

Aunt Philippa smiled unpleasantly--she seldom displayed any other variety
of smile. "That, my dear, is very much a matter of opinion. You had
better go now to Hilda. She is waiting to see your bridesmaid's dress
tried on."

Chris went, with a worried pucker between her brows. How curious it was
that some people failed so completely to take a reasonable view of
things! They made mountains out of molehills, and expected her to climb
them--she, whose unwary feet were accustomed to trip so lightly along
easy ways. And Trevor too--she caught her breath with a sharp shiver--was
he really seriously displeased with her? He had given no hint of it when
they had danced together, save that he had been somewhat grave and
silent. But then, he was naturally so. She had not thought much of it;
in fact, she had been thinking mainly of Bertie.

And here a sudden throb of