in a minute," said
Patricia, with a smile. "I showed you those letters and now you don't
even so much as say 'thank you.'"

"Thank you very much indeed, Patricia," said Lady Tanagra meekly.

"You don't approve of them?" There was undisguised challenge in
Patricia's voice.

"I think the one to Miss Brent is admirable, specially if you will add
a postscript after what I tell you."

"But the other two," persisted Patricia.

"I do not think I am qualified to express an opinion, am I?" said Lady
Tanagra calmly.

"Why not?"

"Well, you see, I am an interested party."

"You!" cried Patricia, then with a sudden change, "Oh, if you are not
careful I shall come over and shake you!"

"I think that would be very good for both of us," was Lady Tanagra's
reply.

"Tell me what you mean," persisted Patricia.

"Well, in the first place, the one to the editor of _The Morning Post_
will make poor Peter ridiculous, and the other will hurt his feelings,
and as I am very fond of Peter you cannot expect me to be enthusiastic
with either of them, can you?"

Lady Tanagra rose and going over to Patricia put her arm round her and
kissed her on the cheek, then Patricia did a very foolish thing.
Without a word of warning she threw her arms around Lady Tanagra's neck
and burst into tears.

"Oh, I'm so wretched, Tanagra! I know I'm a beast and I want to hurt
everybody and every thing. I think I should like to hurt you even,"
she cried, her mood of crying passing as quickly as it had come.

"Don't you think we had better just talk the thing out? Now since you
have asked my view," continued Lady Tanagra, "I will give it. Your
letter to _The Morning Post_ people will make poor Peter the
laughing-stock of London. He has many enemies among ambitious mamas.
Never have I known him to be attracted towards a girl until you came
along. He's really paying you a very great compliment."

Patricia sniffed ominously.

"Then the letter to Peter would hurt him because--you must forgive
me--it is rather brutal, isn't it?"

Patricia nodded her head vigorously.

"Well," continued Lady Tanagra, "what do you say if we destroy them
both?"

"But--but--that would leave _The Morning Post_ announcement and
P-Peter----"

"Don't you think they might both be left, just for the moment? Later
you can wipe the floor with them."

"But--but--you don't understand, Tanagra," began Patricia.

"Don't you think that half the troubles of the world ar