his
clothes to a vigorous process of cleaning.

Mr. Bolton, on the other hand, had followed Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe's
lead, and made a clean sweep. He had assumed a black frock-coat; but
had apparently not thought it worth while to change his brown tweed
trousers, which hung about his boots in shapeless folds, as if
conscious that they had no right there. He, too, had donned a clean
collar and, by way of adding to his splendour, had assumed a white
satin necktie threaded through a "diamond" ring. His thin dark hair
was generously oiled and, as he passed over to the side of the room
occupied by Miss Wangle and Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe, he left behind him a
strong odour of verbena.

Mrs. Barnes came next and, one by one, the other guests drifted in.
All had assumed something in the nature of a wedding garment in honour
of Patricia's fiance. Miss Sikkum had selected a pea-green satin
blouse, which caused Bowen to screw his eyeglass vigorously into his
eye and gaze at her in wonder.

"Do you like them?" It was Patricia who broke the silence.

With a start Bowen turned to her. "Er--er--they seem an er--awfully
decent crowd."

Patricia laughed. "Yes, aren't they? Dreadfully decent. How would
you like to live among them all? Why they haven't the pluck to break a
commandment among them."

Bowen looked at Patricia in surprise. "Really!" was the only remark he
could think of.

"And now I've shocked you!" cried Patricia. "You must not think that I
like people who break commandments. I don't know exactly what I do
mean. Oh, here you are!" and she ran across as Mrs. Hamilton entered
and drew her towards Bowen. "Now I know what I meant. This dear
little creature has never broken a commandment, I wouldn't mind betting
everything I have, and she has never been uncharitable to anyone who
has. Isn't that so?" She turned to Mrs. Hamilton, who was regarding
her in astonishment. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm quite mad to-night, you
mustn't mind. You see Colonel Bowen's mad and he makes me mad."

Turning to Bowen she introduced him to Mrs. Hamilton. "This is my
friend, Mrs. Hamilton." Then to Mrs. Hamilton. "You know all about
Colonel Bowen, don't you, dear? He's the man who sends me
conservatories and telegrams and boy-messengers and things."

Mrs. Hamilton smiled up sweetly at Bowen, and held out her hand.

Patricia glanced across at the group at the other end of the lounge.
The scene reminded her of Napoleon on the _