rls marry so young, nowadays."

"Carton and she can make up for lost time later on," Mr. Foley
insisted. "Maraton goes to-morrow. To-night I am relying upon
Elisabeth to look after him. For some reason or other, they seem to get
on together excellently."

Lady Grenside took Lord Carton into one of the corners of her brother's
quaint and delightful drawing-room, to explain the matter.

"My dear Jack," she began, "never be a politician."

"I like that!" the young man answered. "Lady Elisabeth has been talking
to me for half an hour before dinner, trying to get me to interest
myself in what she calls serious objects."

"Oh, it's all right, so far as the man is concerned!" Lady Grenside
amended. "I was thinking of my own position. Only an hour ago, my
brother comes to me and tells me that I am to send Elisabeth in to
dinner to-night with--with whom do you think?"

"With me, I hope," the young man replied promptly, "only I don't know
why he should interfere."

"With Mr. Maraton."

"What, the anarchist fellow?"

Lady Grenside nodded several times.

"I can't refuse Stephen in his own house," she said, "and Mr. Maraton
is leaving to-morrow."

The young man sighed.

"He is just one of those thoughtful chaps with plenty of gas, that
Elisabeth likes to talk to," he complained. "Never mind, it's got to be
put up with, I suppose."

"I am sending you in with Lily," Lady Grenside continued. "She'll keep
you amused. Only I felt that I must explain."

"I can't think what the fellow's doing here, anyhow," Carton remarked
discontentedly. "A few generations ago we should have hung him."

"Hush!" Lady Grenside whispered. "Don't let Elisabeth hear you talk
like that. Here she comes. I wonder--"

Lady Grenside stopped short. She was looking steadily at her daughter
and her expression of doubt had a genuine impulse behind it. Carton was
not so reticent.

"By Jove, she does look stunning!" he murmured.

Elisabeth, who seldom wore colours, was dressed in blue, with a necklace
of turquoises. On the threshold she paused to make some laughing
rejoinder to a man who was holding open the door for her. Her eyes were
brilliant, her face was full of animation. Lady Grenside's face
darkened as the unseen man came into sight. It was Maraton.

"Never saw Elisabeth look so ripping," Carton repeated. "Just my luck,
not to take her in."

"To-morrow night," Lady Grenside promised.

"That's all very well," Carton grumbled. "I wish sh