oodness knows," he answered at last. "I came here this afternoon to
check Lawrence's opinion by your own."

Now it was Carrissima's turn to hesitate. She wished to play the game
and not for the world would she attempt to belittle Bridget if Mark
desired to exalt her. On the other hand any reluctance to express a
candid opinion might appear suspicious in his eyes!

"Oh well," she said, "there are certain facts which can't be disputed.
You must draw your own conclusions. Bridget lets father take her to
the play; to all sorts of places; she receives him every day in the
week, and he buys her presents. On the few occasions when I have seen
them together," Carrissima added, "he has made himself--well, I, if it
were not for my filial respect, I should say ridiculous."

"Of course," answered Mark, "it's easy enough to believe that the
colonel admires her. Any man must! All I can say is that if Lawrence
has any justification I am immensely sorry."

For what? Carrissima wondered. Was he sorry for her sake, or for his
own? Because Colonel Faversham was by way of winning Bridget, or
because he himself had consequently lost her?

"So am I," murmured Carrissima.

"I can't help seeing," Mark continued, "that I am responsible in a way.
If I hadn't mentioned her name at Phoebe's that evening I was late for
dinner you would never have gone to Golfney Place, and Bridget would
never have crossed Colonel Faversham's path."

"How devoutly I wish she hadn't," said Carrissima. "But what can
anybody do? It is a day after the fair. She has the game in her hands
if she cares to play it. The astonishing thing is that she has waited
so long."

"I wonder," exclaimed Mark, "whether I should find her at home."

"If so she is scarcely likely to be alone. The only way to make
certain of catching her without father is to go soon after breakfast or
after dinner."

"I will go this evening," said Mark.

"What for?" asked Carrissima.

"You see," he answered, "I'm a bad hand at sitting still with my hands
in my pockets. I suppose surgery makes one think something can always
be attempted."

"Still," suggested Carrissima, with a smile, "you can scarcely dream of
going to Golfney Place and asking Bridget's intentions!"

"The Lord knows!" said Mark. "I shall see how the cat jumps. Anyhow,
I am bound to have a look in."

"I shall feel curious to hear how you get along," answered Carrissima.
"And now suppose we banish the topic