of dear old boys in the library, or was,
half an hour ago. Come, let me help you there. It's only a step."

She put her pretty arm round my waist, and leaning on her I walked
across the room, out into a corridor, through a tiny "bookroom" where
odd volumes and old magazines are kept, into Lord Mountstuart's study.

It is a nice room, which he uses much as his wife uses her boudoir. The
library next door is rather a show place, but the study has only Lord
Mountstuart's favourite books in it. He writes there (he has written a
novel or two, and thinks himself literary), and some pictures he has
painted in different parts of the world hang on the walls: for he also
fancies himself artistic.

In one corner is a particularly comfortable, cushiony lounge where, I
suppose, the distinguished author lies and thinks out his subjects, or
dreams them out. And it was to this that Di led me.

She settled me among some fat pillows of old purple and gold brocade,
and asked if she should ring and get a little brandy.

"No," I said, "I shall feel better in a few minutes. It's so nice and
cool here."

"You look better already!" exclaimed Di. "Soon, when you've lain and
rested awhile, you'll be a different girl."

"Ah, how I wish I _could_ be a different girl!" I sighed. "A strong,
well girl, and tall and beautiful, and admired by everyone,--like
you--or Maxine de Renzie."

"What makes you think of her?" asked Di, quickly.

"Ivor was just talking to me of her. You know he calls me his 'pal,' and
tells me things he doesn't tell everybody. He thinks a great deal about
Maxine, still."

"She'd be a difficult woman to forget, if she's as attractive off the
stage as she is on."

"What a pity we didn't come in time to meet here when she was playing in
London with George Allendale. Everybody used to invite her to their
houses, it seems. Ivor was telling me that he first met her here, and
that it's such a pleasant memory, whenever he comes to this house. I
suppose that's one reason he likes to come so much."

"No doubt," said Di sharply.

"He got so fascinated talking of her," I went on. "He almost forgot that
he had a dance with Mrs. Allendale. Of course Maxine had made a great
hit, and all that; but she didn't stand quite as high as she does now,
since she's become the fashion in Paris. Perhaps she had nothing except
her salary, then, whereas she must have saved up a lot of money by this
time. I have an idea that Ivor would have p