cried Lady Tanagra. "You imply that the men who have proposed
to me wanted my money and not myself."

"Suppose, Tanagra, there were a right man," said Patricia, "and he was
poor and honourable. What then?"

"I suppose I should have to ask him to marry me," said Lady Tanagra
dubiously.

"But, Tan, we've just decided," said Bowen, "that you have to be
carried away by force, and cannot love until force has been applied."

"I think I've had enough of this conversation," said Lady Tanagra.
"You're trying to prove that I'm either going to lose my reputation, or
die an old maid, and I'm not so sure that you're wrong, about the old
maid, I mean," she added. "I shall depend upon you, Godfrey, then,"
she said, turning to Elton, "and we will hobble about the Park together
on Sunday mornings, comparing notes upon rheumatism and gout. Ugh!"
She looked deliberately round the table, from one to the other. "Has
it ever struck you what we shall look like when we grow very old?" she
asked.

"No one need ever grow old," said Patricia.

"How can you prevent it?" asked Bowen.

"There is morphia and the fountain of eternal youth," suggested Elton.

"Please don't let's be clever any more," said Lady Tanagra. "It's
affecting my brain. Now we will play bridge for a little while and
then all go home and get to bed early."

In spite of her protests Bowen insisted on seeing Patricia to Galvin
House. For some time they did not speak. As the taxi turned into
Oxford Street Bowen broke the silence.

"Patricia, my mother wants to know you," he said simply.

Patricia shivered. The words came as a shock. They recalled the
incident of her meeting with Bowen. She seemed to see a grey-haired
lady with Bowen's eyes and quiet manner, too well-bred to show the
disapproval she felt on hearing the story of her son's first meeting
with his fiance. She shuddered again.

"Are you cold?" Bowen enquired solicitously, leaning forward to close
the window nearest to him.

"No, I was thinking what Lady Meyfield will think when she hears how
you made the acquaintance of--of--me," she finished lamely.

"There is no reason why she should know," said Bowen.

"Do you think I would marry----?" Patricia broke off suddenly in
confusion.

"But why----?" began Bowen.

"If ever I meet Lady Meyfield I shall tell her exactly how I--I--met
you," said Patricia with
decision.

"Well, tell her then," said Bowen good-humouredly. "She has a real
sen