away from the house.

"You never have, Jimmy!"

"No, I'm the most dreadful waster," he admitted. "I've just been
reading a penny pamphlet--by one of the labour members, and upon my
word, it made me squirm like one o'clock. Did you want to see Sybil
about anything of cosmic importance?" Jimmy asked.

"Oh dear, no," said Carrissima, as they crossed the park. "Only to ask
her to call on a girl she met when we were staying at Crowborough some
years ago."

"What's she like--pretty, by any chance?"

"Very pretty," answered Carrissima.

"Then I'm your man. I can go instead if you give me the address, and
there's no time like the present."

"Jimmy, you must try not to be ridiculous," said Carrissima. "For some
reason you can't have seen her during the few days you stayed with us."

"What is her name?"

"Bridget Rosser. Her father was a novelist----"

"Oh!" cried Jimmy, "you mean David Rosser. I remember that the colonel
introduced me; besides, I happened to run up against him again a few
months later. A man who never got his due. David Rosser had a style,
you know: a little precious, perhaps, if that's a drawback. So you
know his daughter! I will see that Sybil goes to see Miss Rosser.
Then," said Jimmy, "I shall have a look in."

CHAPTER V

COLONEL FAVERSHAM

Colonel Faversham came home on Wednesday evening, the day after
Carrissima's visit to Upper Grosvenor Street. She was sitting alone in
the drawing-room, doubtful as to the precise date of his return, when
she suddenly became aware of his presence in the house.

Colonel Faversham was apt to be noisy and blusterous. He had a loud
voice, a rather demonstrative cough, he walked with a heavy tread, and,
in fact, was generally assertive. Carrissima, not wishing to fail in
her filial duty, went down-stairs to meet him in the hall, as the
butler was helping him off with his thick overcoat.

"Ah, Carrissima!" he exclaimed at the top of his voice, "I'm sorry I
didn't wire; but, to tell you the truth, I forgot all about it. Well,
how are you--quite well? Glad to see me back again, eh?"

"Very glad indeed," was the dutiful answer.

"That's all right. I've had dinner--if you can call it dining in the
train. Where's the best fire to be found?"

"You may as well come to the drawing-room," said Carrissima.

"Good!" replied the colonel, and then turned to the butler. "Knight,
I'll have some soda and whisky."

He accompanied Carrissima u