incipals, then so much the better for the
principals; if, on the other hand, the family disapproved, then the
duty of the principals was clear.

This open flouting of her prides and her prejudices was to Miss Brent a
great blow. It seemed to stun her. She was at a loss how to proceed;
all she realised was that she must save "the Family" at any cost.

"Now tell me what happened when you came in," said Patricia sweetly.

"I must be going," said Miss Brent solemnly.

"Must you?" enquired Patricia politely; but rising lest her aunt should
change her mind.

"Now remember," said Patricia as they walked along the hall, "you've
lost me one matrimonial fish. If I get another nibble you must keep
out of----"

But Miss Brent had fled.

"Well, that's that!" sighed Patricia as she walked slowly upstairs.

CHAPTER XVII

LADY PEGGY MAKES A FRIEND

One Sunday morning as Patricia was sitting in the Park watching the
promenaders and feeling very lonely, she saw coming across the grass
towards her Godfrey Elton accompanied by a pretty dark girl in an amber
costume and a black hat. She bowed her acknowledgment of Elton's
salute, and watched the pair as they passed on in the direction of
Marble Arch.

Suddenly the girl stopped and turned. For a moment Elton stood
irresolute, then he also turned and they both walked in Patricia's
direction.

"Lady Peggy insisted that we should break in upon your solitude," said
Elton, having introduced the two girls.

"You will forgive me, won't you?" said Lady Peggy, "but I so wanted to
know you. You see Peter has the reputation of being invulnerable.
We're all quite breathless from our fruitless endeavours to entangle
him, and I wanted to see what you were like."

"I'm afraid you'll find I'm quite common-place," said Patricia,
smiling. It was impossible to be annoyed with Lady Peggy. Her
frankness was disarming, and her curiosity that of a child.

"I always say," bubbled Lady Peggy, "that there are only two men in
London worth marrying, and they neither of them will have me, although
I've worked most terribly hard."

"Who are they?" enquired Patricia.

"Oh! Goddy's one," she said, indicating Elton with a nod, "and Peter's
the other. They are both prepared to be brothers to me; but they're
not sufficiently generous to save me from dying an old maid."

"I must apologise for inflicting Peggy upon you, Miss Brent," said
Elton; "but when you get to know her you may even l