', when you
told us about the Suffragettes, I--I've been curious about them.'

'You said nothing would ever induce you to listen to such people.'

'I know, and it's rather silly, but one says a thing like that on the
spur of the moment, and then one is bound by it.'

'You mean one imagines one is bound.'

'Then, too, I've been in Scotland ever since; but I've often thought
about you and what you said that day at the Freddys'!'

'And yet you've been a good deal absorbed----'

'You see,' the girl put on a pretty little air of superiority, 'it isn't
as if the man I'm going to marry wasn't very broad-minded. He wants me
to be intelligent about politics. Are those women holding meetings in
London now as well as in the constituencies?'

They both became aware at the same moment that Lord John was coming
slowly down the last steps, with Stonor still more slowly following,
talking Land Tenure. As Miss Levering rose and hurriedly turned over the
things on the table to look for her veil, the handkerchief she had shut
in her little Italian book dropped out. A further shifting of plans and
papers sent it unobserved to the floor. Jean put once more the question
that had remained unanswered.

'They collect too great crowds,' Miss Levering answered her. 'The
authorities won't let them meet in Trafalgar Square after to-day. They
have their last meeting there at three o'clock.'

'To-day! That's no use to people out of town--unless I could invent some
excuse----'

'Wait till you can go without inventions and excuses.'

'You think all that wrong!'

'I think it rather undignified.'

'So do I--but if I'm ever to go----'

Lord John came forward, leaving Stonor to his hostess. 'Still talking
over your Shelter plan?' he asked benevolently.

'No,' answered Miss Levering, 'we left the Shelter some time ago.'

He pinched his niece's ear with affectionate playfulness.

'Then what's all this chatterment about?'

The girl, a little confused, looked at her fellow-conspirator.

'The latest things in veils,' said Miss Levering, smiling, as she caught
up hers.

'The invincible frivolity of women!' said Lord John, with immense
geniality.

'Oh, they're coming for you,' Jean said. 'Don't forget your book. When
shall I see you again, I wonder?'

But instead of announcing the carriage the servant held out a salver. On
it lay a telegraph form scribbled over in pencil.

'A telephone message, miss.'

'For me?' said Jean, in surpri