ties. "What's your notion? Have I been
overdosing you with my company that you are so keen to marry me off?"

"Don't talk nonsense. I was simply thinking of you. You've the right
stuff in you for a husband. But personally, I prefer you unattached.
I should probably quarrel with your wife; and she would break up our
friendship; which would be a thousand pities."

"Mrs Lenox--d'you mean that? Do you really value it one little bit?"

His repressed eagerness puzzled her, and she lifted her eyebrows. "But
yes, _mon ami_! Would I go about with you so much if I didn't? I have
failings enough, Heaven knows, but insincerity is not one of them. By
the way, am I to put you on my other side to-night? Wouldn't you
prefer Mrs Norton, or Mrs Lacy Smith for a change? I couldn't get the
Desmonds; and Eldred hates my poor little party in consequence."

"So shall I, if you banish me from your end of the table."

"Well, that settles it. Two conspicuously large men in open mutiny
would be more than the rest of us could stand!"

They swerved in between the gate-posts, and drew rein as she spoke.
The sound of their wheels had brought Lenox into the verandah.

"It's high time you were back again, you two," he said, with a touch of
decision, as he lifted his wife from the cart. "I was wondering what
had come to you. See you again at eight, Dick."

And Richardson, having quite recovered from his bad quarter of an hour,
drove off humming the refrain of a song Quita had sung to him a few
evenings back. After all, so long as she liked him, and valued his
friendship, she was welcome to hate the supposed unknown, whose
identity she must never be allowed to guess.

Meanwhile Lenox and his wife went on into the house, Quita disarming
reproof by instant apology. "It was delightful; but I'm sorry we were
away too long, dear."

He smiled contentedly down upon her. "Well--there are limits! Where
on earth did you go?"

"All through the city again, and I unearthed endless treasures. You'd
have loved it."

"Of course I should. Great fool that I was not to chuck the writing
and take you myself!"

"Oh, if you only would, a little oftener!"

Something in her tone smote him; and putting both hands on her
shoulders, he bent towards her, pain and passion in his eyes.

"Darling, tell me, have I been neglecting you lately?"

Her low laughter reassured him. "Neglecting me? Dear stupid! D'you
suppose I'd sit down under it if y