nd
youth in their blood. Let him help _them_. Let him be a Friend to
Women.'

'I understand!' Jean rose up, wide-eyed. 'Yes, _that_ too.'

The door had opened, and Lady John was coming in with Stonor towering
beside her. When he saw the girl rising from her knees, he turned to
Lady John with a little gesture of, 'What did I tell you?'

The moment Jean caught sight of him, 'Thank you!' she said, while her
aunt was briskly advancing, filling all the room with a pleasant silken
rustling, and a something nameless, that was like clear noonday after
storm-cloud or haunted twilight.

'Well,' she said in a cheerful commonplace tone to Jean; 'you rather
gave us the slip! Vida, I believe Mr. Stonor wants to see you for a few
minutes, but'--she glanced at her watch--'I'd like a word with you
first, as I must get back. Do you think the car'--she turned to
Stonor--'your man said something about recharging----'

'Oh, did he? I'll see about it.' As he went out he brushed past the
butler.

'Mr. Trent has called, miss, to take the lady to the meeting,' said that
functionary.

'Bring Mr. Trent into my sitting-room,' said Jean hastily, and then to
Miss Levering, 'I'll tell him you can't go to-night.'

Lady John stood watching the girl with critical eyes till she had
disappeared into the adjoining room and shut the door behind her. Then--

'I know, my dear'--she spoke almost apologetically--'you're not aware of
what that impulsive child wants to insist on. I feel it an embarrassment
even to tell you.'

'I know.'

'You know?' Lady John waited for condemnation of Jean's idea. She waited
in vain. 'It isn't with your sanction, surely, that she makes this
extraordinary demand?'

'I didn't sanction it at first,' said the other slowly; 'but I've been
thinking it over.'

Lady John's suavity stiffened perceptibly. 'Then all I can say is, I am
greatly disappointed in you. You threw this man over years ago, for
reasons, whatever they were, that seemed to you good and sufficient. And
now you come in between him and a younger woman, just to play Nemesis,
so far as I can make out.'

'Is that what he says?'

'He says nothing that isn't fair and considerate.'

'I can see he's changed.'

'And you're unchanged--is that it?'

'I'm changed even more than he.'

Lady John sat down, with pity and annoyance struggling for the mastery.

'You care about him still?'

'No.'

'No? And yet you--I see! There are obviously certain things he